The Avalanche will keep towering Nikita Zadorov as Tyson Barrie's defense partner Wednesday when they meet Boston at the Pepsi Center to close out the three-game homestand.

The Francois Beauchemin-Erik Johnson pair will remain intact, but Brad Stuart will make his season debut with Nick Holden. Beauchemin and Johnson have combined for two goals, six assists, 11 shots and a plus-5 plus/minus rating while averaging 23:15 and 21:31 in ice time, respectively.

Brandon Gormley will be scratched for the third game in a row, along with Nate Guenin, who played in the first two games.

Coach Patrick Roy swapped the 6-feet-5 Zadorov for Guenin in the second period Saturday when the Avalanche rallied for a 6-3 win against Dallas. Guenin finished the game with Holden.

" 'Z' has a lot of size and I think that will help Tyson (who is 5-10)," Roy said after practice Tuesday. "They both love to go on the offense on the rush. At the same time, it will be up to both of them to help each other defensively. I think it's a good mix, a stronger, physical defenseman with Tyson, who loves to move the puck."

Forward Mikhail Grigorenko will be scratched for the third consecutive game.

"He's our 13th forward," Roy said. "I told him in our one-on-one meeting, I said to him to be patient and keep working hard. When he has his chance it will be up to him to grab it."

Zadorov played 15:59 Saturday, had five hits, one takeaway, one blocked shot, a roughing minor and was minus-1.

"You're getting more confidence all the time with your team and with the system," said Zadorov, 20, who was acquired from Buffalo on June 26 with Grigorenko, J.T. Compher and a second-round draft pick for Ryan O'Reilly and Jamie McGinn. "You step on the ice and you do what you can. I try to be my best on the ice and work as hard as I can."

Playing with Barrie was "unreal," he said. "I think we were thinking the same way, trying to move the puck quickly and joining the rush all the time. We've been practicing two days in a row and getting to know each other better. He's more offensive and I like it. He's not afraid to make the risky plays. We just need to bear down on our defense.

"I'm the kind of guy it doesn't matter to me who I play with, but I love to play with Tyson and I'm happy I'm with him right now."

Zadorov has a long reach and impressed Roy with his skating ability from the start of training camp.

"I was training with a special skating coach all the time when I was 14, 15, 16, that's probably why I'm a good skater," he said. "I know I can do that, and I'm going to use it."

Said Barrie: "He's a big guy and super skilled. He's going to be an exciting guy to watch. He's a great skater and he moves the puck well. If we move the puck quick and we're solid in front of (goalie Semyon Varlamov), we're not going to be an issue, we're going to be a strength."



Follow @RickS7

Join the Discussion: » 9 Comments » Post New Comment

» One-year deal for Johansson

» One more postseason disappointment

» Bednar cleared to coach tonight; MacKinnon Hart finalist

» Cale Makar a Norris Trophy finalist

» Jost: Do or die Game 5 tonight; Kadri suspension upheld