Uh oh.
Colorado Avalanche netminder Semyon Varlamov had to be helped off the ice in the third period on Friday in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Avs were leading 4-0 when Blackhawks forward Tomas Jurco blew a tire trying to put a deke on Varlamov. Instead of stopping the puck, Varlamov got drilled in the left leg by Jurco, who slid into him with some force.
Here is the play where Semyon Varlamov was injured. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/lHyH5COW4P
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) March 31, 2018
As good as Nathan MacKinnon has been for the Avalanche, Varlamov’s play has also been instrumental in getting the Avs into a playoff spot (barring the outcome of the Anaheim Ducks-Los Angeles Kings and St.Louis Blues-Vegas Golden Knights matchups on Friday). The Avs shutout the Blackhawks 5-0 on Friday to move into the first wildcard spot in the West.
Jonathan Bernier would assume the starting role if Varlamov’s injury rules him out for any length of time.
Bernier hasn’t been great lately, posting a .900 or better in just one of his previous five appearences.
Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck