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Semyon Varlamov recovers from 'nightmare' game with 51 saves at Leafs

Josh Cooper
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 11: Colorado Avalanche Goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) takes a breather after fighting off two penalties during the regular season NHL game between the Colorado Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs on December 11, 2016 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Colorado Avalanche Goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) takes a breather after fighting off two penalties during the regular season NHL game between the Colorado Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs on December 11, 2016 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON. (Getty Images)

On Sunday, Colorado Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov bounced back from a dreadful performance one night earlier to make 51 saves in a 3-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In Colorado’s Saturday 10-1 loss at the Montreal Canadiens, Varlamov made just 10 saves on 16 shots on goal. Against the Habs, Varlamov replaced starter Calvin Pickard before getting yanked himself.

At the Maple Leafs, Colorado coach Jared Bednar gave Varlamov the start, hoping that the struggling netminder could give the team a quality outing. He did and afterwards Varlamov was candid in how he felt about being able to play well for the Avs after his Saturday struggles.

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“You guys don’t know what I went through last night after the game,” Varlamov said according to the Denver Post. “That was a nightmare. I don’t think I ever played like that (before). I feel like every shot went to the net last night, and I felt so unconfident after the game. Today, this morning, I woke up and said, ‘Today is a new day, a new opportunity to win a game.’ That’s the NHL. You have to forget quickly and refocus.”

The only goal Varlamov allowed was from Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner on a 5-on-3 at the 17:24 mark of the third period to make the game 2-1.

The Avs then were able to keep Toronto at bay long enough on the remaining power play to allow Blake Comeau to score an empty net goal at the 18:49 mark. Varlamov assisted on Nathan MacKinnon’s game-winner earlier in the third.

“We challenged (the team), as far as their character and pride,” Colorado coach coach Jared Bednar said. “We had really good focus, real good compete throughout our lineup.”

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This year has been a struggle for Varlamov, who finished second in Vezina voting and was a second-team All-Star in 2013-14.

The goaltender holds a 3.21 goal-against average and .904 save percentage. The Avalanche are the second-worst defensive team in the league, allowing 3.15 goals per-game and Colorado is tied for the worst point total in the NHL with the Arizona Coyotes at 23.

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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