(Ron Chenoy — USA Today Sports)
Not many experts are giving the Avalanche a chance to win the Stanley Cup. They cite goaltending as an issue. It’s clear Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov has so much to prove heading to the postseason despite an excellent regular season.
The hockey wonks haven’t given Varlamov his due based on his struggles over the years. His poor performance for Team Russia in the Olympics gave more fodder for his critics.
The Avalanche goaltender knows the only opinion that counts is Patrick Roy’s The Avalanche head coach has remained steadfast in his belief of his goaltender going back to the day he was hired. That had an effect in a positive way all year, and the netminder has validated his coach’s belief by winning games.
Varlamov has continued his success in the postseason. He is not there to be part of the ride. He is doing his part in playing a role in the Avalanche’s victories. His 45 saves in Game 3 of the Western Conference quarterfinals was his Avalanche’s signature moment.
Yes, Varlamov took a 1-0 overtime loss to the Wild, but understand that if he did not have the night he had, there would be no overtime. It would have been a Wild blowout if he did not make all those saves in the first and second period.
Game 3 exemplifies he can steal a game or keep his team in the game when the Avs need him the most. That performance goes a long way since he is going to have playoff games where he has to set the tone for the Avalanche to win.
Much was said about Varlamov’s Game 3 performance, but he did a good job in the first two games of the first round.
In Game 1, he bounced back nicely after a sloppy second period. He could have dwelled on giving up two bad goals in the second period that gave the Wild a 4-2 lead. Instead, he focused on keeping his team in the game by making saves in the third period. His play in the third period set the stage for the Avalanche to come back to tie it in the third period and win it in overtime.
That performance in the third period showed growth in Varlamov’s development. He would pout and implode after giving up goals over the years. He would basically put his team out of the game after he gave up a goal.
There’s no question he has the ability to be a great goaltender. He showed that on Monday night. It’s more about how he handles himself when he gives up a bad goal like he did in Game 1. He showed he does not let bad goals get to him.
His ability to bounce back after a bad goal is why the Avalanche can win the Stanley Cup this season. That’s a credit to Roy for getting the most of his goaltender by working on his confidence. That was why the Avalanche hired their former goaltender to be their head coach.
As great as the Avs are offensively, it comes down to the goaltender. Varlamov has to put his team in a position to win by being great every game. He has to set the tone. He has to shine in the second season.
So far, so good. Still, there are going to be doubts about him as the playoffs goes on. One great series does nothing. He is going to have to be even better when he goes up against the Blues, Blackhawks, Sharks and the winner of the Eastern Conference finals.
The only way he can quiet the critics is to win the Stanley Cup. Goaltenders are always going to be judged on how many championships he has. Roy is revered in the hockey community because he won four Stanley Cups. If Varlamov wins two or three championships, he will be treated like an immortal.
To the Avalanche goaltender’s credit, he does not let doubts bother him. He is so locked in right now in winning the Stanley Cup to worry about what his critics think of him.
This is only the beginning. It’s going to get harder for him. Still, he has showed he is up for the challenge.
Varlamov’s growth and performance is why the Avalanche can hoist Lord Stanley in June.
Contact or follow Leslie Monteiro at @LightRodWriter
Leslie Monteiro
Leslie is a contributor for Lightning Rod Sports. He covered high school sports in Bergen County out in North Jersey, and has written op-ed columns on sports such as Bleacher Report and NY Sports Digest.
