WASHINGTON — Goalie Semyon Varlamov is on the cusp of returning to the Avalanche lineup. After Saturday's morning skate at the Verizon Center, Avs coach Patrick Roy said Varlamov "might be ready" Monday against the Jets in Winnipeg.
Varlamov missed his sixth consecutive game Saturday night with a groin injury, which forced him out of the lineup in three stints last season. Backup Reto Berra has played well in his absence, although his two previous games in Toronto and Pittsburgh weren't among his better outings.
Calvin Pickard, 23, backed up Berra for the fifth consecutive game Saturday.