Jonathan Bernier News

Bernier allowed three goals on 24 shots in the Red Wings loss in Los Angeles last Sunday. Jimmy Howard started each of the last two games, but will give way to Bernier this afternoon in Boston. The Red Wings don’t have the firepower to match-up with the Bruins, making Bernier a risky option on a busy Saturday.

Bernier was 19-13-3 with a 2,85 GAA and .913 SV% in 37 games with the Avalanche last season. Bernier inked a deal with the Red Wings this season and will start tonight vs. the team that drafted him back in 2006. The Red Wings have a very inexperienced blueline in front of him, making the 30-year-old a risky option on the last night of the week.

Following a one-year stint with the Avalanche, Bernier signs with the Red Wings, where he will fight with Jimmy Howard for playing time. The 29-year-old had a solid season in Colorado, going 19-13-3 with a 2.85 GAA, .913 SV% and two shutouts in 37 games.

Bernier allowed four goals on 42 shots in Colorado’s overtime loss in Anaheim last night. With Semyon Varlamov out, Bernier will have to play great this week—he comes into Monday at 6-7-3 with a 3.35 GAA and .898 SV% in 16 road starts this seaosn.

Bernier stopped all three shots that he faced after replacing Semyon Varlamov in Friday’s win over the Blackhawks. With Varlamov out for the rest of the regular season, it will be on Bernier to get the Avalanche into the playoffs. He is already 2-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA and .962 SV% vs. the Ducks this season.

Bernier, who had to leave his first start after a concussion after being hit in the head by a shot, was reportedly feeling better on Monday but he remains out indefinitely. Bernier missed nearly one month the first time around, but head injuries and concussion recovery times always vary. Spencer Martin was recalled but Semyon Varlamov will likely start every game until Bernier is back.

Bernier has been sidelined with a concussion since February 16th, but will return to the crease for his 30th start of the season this afternoon. Bernier filled in admirably for Semyon Varlamov earlier this season and Varlamov did the same for Bernier over the last month. Bernier is a great option today vs. the Coyotes—the 29-year-old is 11-4-0 with a 2.31 GAA and .930 SV% on home-ice this year.

Bernier has missed the last six games with a concussion but was back at practice facing shots on Thursday. As is always the case with concussions, there is no firm timetable for Bernier’s return to Colorado’s crease, but Thursday was a big step.