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Patrick Roy stays undefeated thanks to strong goaltending

Semyon Varlamov

Goalie Semyon Varlamov #1 of the Colorado Avalanche prepares to face the Nashville Predators at Pepsi Center on October 4, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Predators 3-1. (October 3, 2013 - Source: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America)

The Colorado Avalanche have a long season ahead of them, but so far they’ve defied expectations. Under rookie head coach Patrick Roy, they won their third consecutive game on Tuesday and the key was once again was stellar goaltending.

Semyon Varlamov was near perfect against the Toronto Maple Leafs and you could argue that the word “near” is unnecessary in that statement. He turned aside 27 of 28 shots and the one he missed was borderline as an argument could be made that play should have been called dead.

You can judge that for yourself though:

Either way, Varlamov stayed strong and with a little help from his teammates, earned a 2-1 victory. He’s now allowed just one goal in each of the Avalanche’s first three contests.

“He made a big commitment this year to come in ready, right from training camp,” Roy said, according to NHL.com. “Right now what I like about his play is that it’s simple. Every time you look at him, it looks easy.

“He’s always square to the shooter. He’s at the right place and he plays a simple game. I think that’s the reason he’s having so much success.”

It wasn’t always this way for Varlamov. The Avalanche saw his promise when they acquired him from the Washington Capitals, but his first two seasons with Colorado produced mixed results at best. So far though, it seems like Roy has been a positive influence on the 25-year-old goaltender.

Related:

Patrick Roy helps Varlamov change style

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