Varlamov Helps Avs Earn A Point

EDMONTON, Alberta--The Colorado Avalanche put together a valiant comeback effort for the second straight game, but the end result wasn't the same.
Goaltender Semyon Varlamov was tremendous in net for Colorado and allowed the club to erase a two-goal deficit Thursday night at Rogers Place. However, unlike what the Avs did two nights earlier in Vancouver, they couldn't take the overtime victory, falling 3-2 at the Edmonton Oilers.

The Avalanche had come back after being down 4-1 at the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday to win 5-4 in OT.
Varlamov stopped 43-of-46 shots in the game in the Alberta capital. It was the third time this season that the goalie made 40 or more saves in an outing.
"He was our star player once again for us. It's tough when sometimes we leave him out to dry like that," said Avs forward Tyson Jost. "We know that he's huge for our team, and we need to bail him out sometimes because he always has our back for the whole year. Varly was Varly. He was outstanding for us, and we just need to be a little bit better in front of him."
The Avs netminder had to be strong early as the Oilers came out with a furious rush, firing 19 shots in the opening period.
"When you play against Edmonton, you know you're going to face lots of shots," Varlamov said. "The team shoots from everywhere, so you got to stay focused all the time because you never know where they're going to shoot from."

Edmonton netted the first two goals of the night in the second period, but the Avs quickly answered back. It only took 1:09 for the Colorado to tie the outing as Samuel Girard scored with 19 seconds left in the middle stanza and Colin Wilson tallied 50 seconds into the third.
That was it for the scoring in regulation, and the Avalanche ended up getting a point when the game went to extra time. It was one less point that the team wanted and needed, though.
"The point is always good, but we need two points," Varlamov said. "We know where we're at in the standings. We're battling for the playoffs."
Varlamov was making his third consecutive start in net for and was playing in his fifth straight game. The last time he played five outings in a row this season was Dec. 18-29.
He is expected to be back in the crease on Saturday when the club finishes its three-game Western Canada road trip at the Calgary Flames, another squad battling for a postseason spot.
JOST STREAKING
Tyson Jost picked up a point for the third consecutive game, marking the first time the rookie has accomplished the feat.
Jost assisted on Colin Wilson's game-tying goal early in the third period that helped the Avalanche erase a two-goal deficit.
The St. Albert, Alberta, native now has 16 points (seven goals and nine assists) on the campaign and four goals and two assists in his last nine outings.

MILESTONE GAME

Defenseman Nikita Zadorov skated in his 200th NHL contest on Thursday.
The Moscow, Russia, native began his pro career as an 18-year-old with the Buffalo Sabres in 2013-14 after being drafted No. 16 overall. The Avs acquired the 6-foot-5, 230-pound blueliner on June 26, 2015, and he has since skated in 133 contests with Colorado
"I was 18 years old when I played my first game," said Zadorov when reflecting on his first 199 games after morning skate in Edmonton. "Now I'm five years older and have learned [a lot] from that time. All the coaches I've worked with, they've put so much work in it. Everyone else as well. I've grown as a player, and hopefully I don't stop."
Zadorov's four goals this season already mark a new career high while his 15 points tie his personal best that he set in 2014-15 with Buffalo. He has 43 points (eight goals and 35 assists) and 194 penalty minutes in his career.

RETURNING HOME

Duncan Siemens played his first NHL game in his hometown on Thursday night.
Siemens, who was born in Edmonton but grew up in the suburb of Sherwood Park, skated against his favorite childhood team and in his third contest of the season.
"It's very exciting," Siemens said after morning skate. "This is my first time my little sister has seen me play in quite a few years. It's a special moment for me. Without their support, there is no way I would be here. They sacrificed a lot. So to be able to share this moment with them is pretty special."
Siemens had his mom, dad, younger sister and her boyfriend in the crowd, and he got to spend some quality time with his family and friends on Wednesday while the Avs had a day off.
Colorado's other Edmonton native, Tyson Jost, was playing in his second game in his hometown. Jost is from the nearby city of St. Albert and played his first outing at Rogers Place when the clubs met on Feb. 1.