Avalanche make third-string goalkeeper swap

The Colorado Avalanche have swapped third-string goaltenders, recalling Ivan Prosvetov and assigning Arvid Holm. 

These moves come after backup Justus Annunen sat out of the team’s Monday morning skate, with head coach Jared Bednar sharing that the goaltender is “still sick”, per DNVR’s Meghan Angley. 

Annunen wasn’t available for Game One against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday, with Holm stepping in as the backup. Starter Alexandar Georgiev would go on to allow seven goals on 23 shots in the eventual 7-6 loss. 

Prosvetov was playing in his own game while Holm filled in, saving 28 of 31 shots in a 6-3 AHL win.

Georgiev’s struggles in Game One seemed to set up a perfect chance for Annunen to challenge the starting role. He was able to wrestle it away from Georgiev at the end of the regular season, ultimately recording eight wins and a .928 save percentage in 14 games. 

But with Annunen still questionable for the lineup, the Avalanche are instead turning to Prosvetov to challenge Georgiev’s role.

Prosvetov has appeared in 11 NHL games this season, recording four wins and a .895 save percentage. He’s been much better in the AHL, where he’s managed 11 wins and a .921 in 21 appearances. 

Prosvetov has made spot NHL starts throughout each of the last four seasons but hasn’t yet found his way into a full-time role in the league. He’s also never played in a Stanley Cup Playoff game, likely decreasing his chances of making a surprise appearance. 

That is, if Georgiev can rebound from a disappointing Game One.