While tempted to stick with the hot hand in goal, Avalanche coach Patrick Roy will place Semyon Varlamov — named the NHL's first star of the week Monday — in a backup role Tuesday night at San Jose and give Calvin Pickard the start.
That's passing the torch to a guy similarly as warm.
Pickard, who has allowed just two goals in his last two games, made 35 saves in a 6-3 win at San Jose on Dec. 28. More recently, Pickard backstopped a 3-0 win over New Jersey on Jan. 14 and took a 2-1 loss at Columbus two nights later.