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Goalie nods: Avs park struggling Varlamov, Berra to face Ducks

Semyon Varlamov

Semyon Varlamov

AP

Patrick Roy isn’t happy with his team.

And it sounds like he’s really not happy with his goaltending.

The Avs head coach announced that, for Friday’s tilt in Anaheim, backup Reto Berra will get his first start of the year, replacing struggling No. 1 Semyon Varlamov.

The decision to park Varlamov comes with the Russian ‘tender boasting some ugly numbers: 5.06 GAA, .841 save percentage and one big ol’ hook after just 35 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Bruins, during which he allowed five goals on 19 shots.

Berra took over for Varlamov against Boston, his first action of the year. He stopped all five shots faced.

All things considered, this is a tough spot for Berra. The Avs aren’t playing well, having lost two of their first three, and the Ducks are an angry team, having started the season slow themselves (0-2-1).

Anaheim is also looking to bust out offensively, having scored just once all season.

For the Ducks, Frederik Andersen will get the start in goal.

Elsewhere...

-- Martin Jones, he of the .987 save percentage and perfect 3-0 record, goes for San Jose. He’ll be up against Cory Schneider, who has missed New Jersey’s last two games due to the birth of his son.

-- James Reimer and Sergei Bobrovsky start as the Leafs visit Columbus. Bobrovsky is certainly one to watch; despite having “zero confidence” right now, he’ll make his fifth straight appearance as the Blue Jackets aim to avoid starting 0-5.

-- Cam Ward and Jimmy Howard square off as the ‘Canes take on the Red Wings. Howard has been terrific to start the year, and currently boasts a .977 save percentage.

-- Winnipeg goes with Ondrej Pavelec in its home opener, while the Flames come back with Karri Ramo. Ramo hasn’t played since allowing four goals on 44 shots to Vancouver in Calgary’s season-opener nine days ago.

-- After Brian Elliott beat Edmonton last night, the Blues are will start Jake Allen in Vancouver. The Canucks are likely to go with Ryan Miller, who’s played every minute this year but has looked rock solid in doing so. Also helping Miller’s cause is the fact that backup Jacob Markstrom is still out injured, and the replacement backup is AHLer Richard Bachman.

-- Darcy Kuemper gets his first start of the year for Minnesota, after Devan Dubnyk beat Arizona last night. Jonathan Quick is likely for L.A.