If it can go wrong for the Avalanche, it will.
The Avs, coming off a terrible 6-0 loss at home to the Maple Leafs last night, have announced that Semyon Varlamov will miss tonight’s game in Chicago with a groin injury, meaning Calvin Pickard will get the start.
AHL netminder Spencer Martin has been recalled from San Antonio, to serve as Pickard’s backup.
The Varlamov injury -- which may have occurred while he was allowing five goals on 18 shots to Toronto -- is just the latest blow for what’s steadily become the league’s worst team.
The Russian tender had been terrific in his last two starts prior to Thursday’s debacle -- on Dec. 11, he made 51 saves in a 3-1 win over the Leafs and, on Tuesday, stopped 31 of 33 shots in a shutout loss to the Wild.
The 28-year-old Russian does have a history of groin problems. He missed three games earlier this month with a similar strain.
Colorado’s problems go well beyond injuries in goal, though. The team has been flat-out awful in December, losing nine of 11 contests while getting shut out three times and out-scored 42-18, which is staggering.
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