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Avs goalie Semyon Varlamov out for the season

The Colorado Avalanche's push to make the playoffs just got a whole lot more difficult.
Credit: Isaiah J. Downing
Mar 30, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche head athletic trainer Matthew Sokolowski (left) talks with goaltender Semyon Varlamov (1) after a play in the third period at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche's push to make the playoffs just got a whole lot more difficult.

On Saturday, the team announced Semyon Varlamov would miss the remainder of the regular season with a lower-body injury.

The starting goaltender was injured in Friday night's game against the Chicago Blackhawks late in the third period, following a collision with Tomas Jurco. Jurco seemingly lost control on his way to the net and landed on Varlamov's left leg.

Prior to his exit, Varlamov had stopped 30 shots against the Blackhawks. He was replaced in net by Avs backup, Jonathan Bernier, who has been battling a hand injury.

Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar also announced Saturday that defenseman Erik Johnson will miss a minimum of six weeks with a fractured non-displaced patella. The Bloomington, Minnesota, native did not dress for Friday's game against Chicago.

Johnson previously missed thirteen games with an upper-body injury earlier this year. He currently ranks second among Avs defenseman in scoring (25).

Colorado is currently on the outside of the playoff picture with four games remaining in the regular season, and it will undoubtedly be a tight race to the end. The Avalanche's final four games all come against playoff teams -- Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose and St. Louis -- with the Ducks and Blues sitting just ahead of them in the wild card positions.

The Avalanche will begin a three game road trip Sunday in Anaheim.

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