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Calvin Pickard in Net: What it Means for the Colorado Avalanche

ByNadia Archuleta|

Rookie goalie Calvin Pickard is going to start in net for the Colorado Avalanche against the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the LA Kings. It is one of the biggest games of the season, and the Avs are going with a rookie.

On the one hand, the Avalanche don’t have much of a choice. Starting goalie Semyon Varlamov has been fighting a groin injury off and on all season. He seems to have aggravated the injury in the physical game against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday. It’s not surprising considering he was starting in his millionth consecutive game — ok, 22nd, but that was enough for him to break franchise records in consecutive starts.

On the other hand, the Avalanche do have a choice other than starting rookie Calvin Pickard. Last season at the trade deadline they picked up a goalie who was supposed to serve as Varlamov’s back up, Reto Berra.

To say Berra hasn’t been all the Avalanche would hope for would be an understatement. He hasn’t played atrociously, but he has played badly enough that Avalanche fans don’t trust him in net. He has played badly enough that Denver Post writer Mike Chambers feels comfortable taunting him on Twitter:

(For the record, I don’t agree with taunting local sports players via social media when you’re a local sports reporter.)

Head coach Patrick Roy is not one to denigrate his players. Of the decision to start Pickard over Berra, he told the attendees of the pre-game press conference:

"“The reason I’m going with Pickard is really simple. Reto has been practicing really well. In the three games he came in relief, he did a good job for us. But he hasn’t started a game since November 25. I just feel it would be unfair to put him in a situation like this. It’s such an important game for us.”"

Now, you can read as deeply into Roy’s words as you want. Is he being diplomatic? Absolutely. Roy has worked to cultivate his coaching style as a player’s coach. He makes the tough comments when they’re necessary, but he’s not one to openly criticize his players.

I may be naive, but I also don’t think Roy would openly lie. If he says Berra has been doing very well in practice, and that he’s at least somewhat satisfied by his in-game performances, I believe that’s true. Do I also think he doesn’t trust Berra to pull the win in this all-important game? Yes. What purpose would it serve for him to say that aloud except to titillate pundits? We all know Roy and the Avalanche skaters do not trust Berra to get the job done.

That said, we also know Roy and the Avalanche skaters do trust Pickard to get the job done. During the same press conference, Roy remarked on Pickards’ amazing statistics in the NHL — .936 save percentage and a 2.18 goals against average. He’s only played in 15 games to Varlamov’s 46, but suffice it to say those numbers are better than Varly’s.

Pickard also became the winningest goalie in Lake Erie Monsters history when he recorded a shut out, his 52nd win of the season. And remember, he spend those few weeks with the Avs, not playing for the Monsters.

Pickard is confident:

"“I’m excited for the challenge tonight, and we need to get those two points for sure.”"

One thing I notice about Pickard is that he’s got a confident sparkle in his eye that reminds me of Patrick Roy. It takes a special kind of personality to be a goalie, to be the last line of defense in a lightning-fast game, and I think Pickard’s got it in spades.

Avalanche skaters seem equally confident in Picks’ abilities. Captain Gabriel Landeskog said of the young goalie:

"“Every time he’s been in, he’s played well and given us a chance to win, and that’s all you can ask for. We haven’t seen him in a few weeks. Good to see him back.”"

Avalanche fans are worried about the loss of their Vezina finalist goalie. However, though I’m an Avs fan, I’m not. Picks is in net — he’s got this.

Next: Is it so bad if it's Pickard in Net?

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