Jonathan Bernier was the first goalie selected in the 2006 NHL draft, going 11th overall to the Los Angeles Kings. Semyon Varlamov was the third goalie to have his name called that year, at No. 23 by the Washington Capitals.
More than a decade ago, Bernier was considered the better prospect, but not by much.
Today, the two Avalanche goalies are both capable of being the No. 1 guy, and if the oft-injured Varlamov doesn’t play another game this season, Bernier seems more than capable of leading Colorado to the playoffs.
Bernier made his fourth consecutive start Monday — each since Varlamov went down with another groin-area injury Jan. 2 — and improved to 4-0 in that stretch. He has played in Colorado’s last six games (five starts) and is a big reason the Avs won their seventh straight game in a MLK Day matinee at the Pepsi Center, 3-1 over the Anaheim Ducks.
Bernier, who played for the Ducks last season, made the play of the game — a diving stick save on Anaheim center Ryan Kesler midway through the second period that led to the game-winning goal. The Avs gained possession after the save and scored on the counterattack, with Nathan MacKinnon scoring his 20th goal of the season for a 2-1 lead.
“He looked at me after the goal and kind of laughed, because he knew if I don’t make that save, the game could have been a lot different,” Bernier said of Kesler. “It’s nice to get rewarded. You make a good save, and then you go on the other side and score.”
Bernier finished with 33 saves and was similarly sharp as he was Saturday in a 4-1 win at Dallas. He has allowed only seven goals in the Avs’ last six games and has lowered his goals-against average to 2.15.
Colorado signed Bernier to a one-year, $2.75 million contract last summer after losing Calvin Pickard in the expansion draft to the Vegas Golden Knights. Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic chose to protect Varlamov over Pickard, even though Varlamov was coming off hip surgeries last winter and hasn’t consistently played his best since 2013-14.
Perhaps a blessing in disguise, losing Pickard forced the Avs to sign a proven No. 1 as Varlamov’s backup.
“That’s why Joe and his team identified him and why they went after him (last) summer,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said of Bernier, who, like Varlamov, is 29. “He’s been a No. 1 in the past, he’s also been a backup — he understands. He has some experience, and he’s eager to prove himself (here). I don’t know what to say about him besides he was excellent again tonight. He’s stringing games together.”
Bednar called Bernier’s save on Kesler the turning point of the game.
“Pretty even-played game to that point,” Bednar said. “He makes that save, and we go down to the other end and take a 2-0 lead. Big turning point of the game.”
Without Varlamov, the Avalanche has Bernier and fellow veteran backup Andrew Hammond, who was acquired from Ottawa on Nov. 5 in the Matt Duchene trade, as options at goalie. Hammond, also 29, has proved himself in the league and is another reason the Avs probably won’t be looking for a goalie on the trade market if Varlamov’s groin issues continue.
