Colorado Avalanche: Top 5 Moments of 2014-15 Season

4. Semyon Varlamov‘s 54-save shutout in Chicago

April 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) defends the goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Semyon Varlamov. The dude really is the backbone of the Avalanche. I personally would go as far as saying he is their clear MVP.

The Colorado Avalanche got out-shot 54-24 in Chicago on January 7th, 2014. It didn’t phase Varly, who did what he usually does – bail the Avalanche out.

This was his Mona Lisa performance. The 54-save shutout was an NHL record for a road goaltender. Varlamov was spotted a two-goal lead thanks to Nathan MacKinnon and Max Talbot finding the back of the net in the first 1:17 of the game, and that was more than enough. He stymied an onslaught of Chicago pressure, and kept them off the scoreboard for 60 minutes.

Semyon Varlamov. The dude really is the backbone of the Avalanche. I personally would go as far as saying he is their clear MVP.

Perhaps Varly’s performance should be higher on this list. In retrospect, he probably should be. I think people take for granted what this guy does for this team, and I might be falling into that trap as well. Varlamov gives this team a chance to win games, even when they are significantly outshot. The Avalanche were one of the worst teams in the NHL in shots allowed, yet somehow they still reached 90 points.

I think Avalanche fans almost have come to expect great things from Varly, so when he does something as amazing as stop 54-shots in hostile Chicago, he doesn’t even make the top-3 moments of the season.

These next 3 better be pretty special!