The Colorado Avalanche will begin the 2015-2016 season at the Pepsi Center on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. A mediocre-at-best preseason concluded over the weekend as the Los Angeles Kings blanked the Avs 4-0, dropping them to 1-4-1. Though it is just preseason, here’s what we’ve learned so far…
No. 3 – Simply Varlamov
Lopsided losses don’t tell the whole picture. Goalie Semyon Varlamov has looked solid in the preseason games that he has played. In last week’s loss to the Anaheim Ducks, Varlamov made 30 saves. The 27-year-old made 35 saves in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Kings last month. Varly’s solid play has brought light to something else too – despite his best efforts, opponents have still been able to score regularly, dicing the Avs ‘D’ at-will.
If Colorado is going to rebound from its last-place finish in 2014-15, the defense has to improve. Varly can’t do it all.
