Colorado Avalanche goaltender Jonathan Bernier named NHL’s second star of the week

Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron, Colorado Avalanche goaltender Jonathan Bernier, and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby have been named the NHL’s Three Stars of the week for the first week of 2018.

Bernier went 3-0-0 with a 1.60 goals-against average, .957 save percentage and one shutout for the Avalanche. The team had a perfect 3-0 week to help extend the winning streak to five games, their longest since Dec. 12-19, 2015.

He recorded 21 saves in relief in a 3-2 overtime victory against the Winnipeg Jets when Semyon Varlamov went down with a lower-body injury. Bernier then made 34 stops to earn his 16th career shutout in a win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. He finished the week with another 34-save performance in a 7-2 win against the rival Minnesota Wild.

The 29-year-old backup is now 9-7-1 in 17 appearances this season sporting a 2.88 GAA, .909 SV% and 2 SO.

Bernier has now won 5 of his last six outings and he has proven to be a valuable pickup for the Avs this past summer. Though he doesn't have the best numbers in the world, Bernier seems to step up with his best performance whenever Varly goes down with injuries.

With no timetable for Varlamov to get back on the ice, the Avs will hope Bernier can stay hot when the team returns from their bye week on Saturday.