As we near the Christmas break of the 2017-18 season, the Colorado Avalanche have been far more competitive than they were last year. They have been close in all but a handful of games.
They have been able to score at a far greater rate than throughout last season. However, as encouraging as this team has been, it could be even better, if the goaltending was better.
In order for the Avalanche to get better goaltending, they need Semyon Varlamov to elevate his game. The team defense is unlikely to vastly improve as the season draws on, so it will fall on the goalie to play better, himself.