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Following blowout loss to Leafs, Avs say Varlamov suffered another groin injury

Colorado Avalanche v Ottawa Senators

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 11: Semyon Varlamov #1 of the Colorado Avalanche makes a save against the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game at Canadian Tire Centre on February 11, 2016 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

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If it can go wrong for the Avalanche, it will.

The Avs, coming off a terrible 6-0 loss at home to the Maple Leafs last night, have announced that Semyon Varlamov will miss tonight’s game in Chicago with a groin injury, meaning Calvin Pickard will get the start.

AHL netminder Spencer Martin has been recalled from San Antonio, to serve as Pickard’s backup.

The Varlamov injury -- which may have occurred while he was allowing five goals on 18 shots to Toronto -- is just the latest blow for what’s steadily become the league’s worst team.

The Russian tender had been terrific in his last two starts prior to Thursday’s debacle -- on Dec. 11, he made 51 saves in a 3-1 win over the Leafs and, on Tuesday, stopped 31 of 33 shots in a shutout loss to the Wild.

The 28-year-old Russian does have a history of groin problems. He missed three games earlier this month with a similar strain.

Colorado’s problems go well beyond injuries in goal, though. The team has been flat-out awful in December, losing nine of 11 contests while getting shut out three times and out-scored 42-18, which is staggering.

Related: The Avs often say discouraging things after they lose, and they lose a lot