|
Bernier, Zadorov set for Devils |
|
|
Rick Sadowski
 Colorado Avalanche Blogger •Avalanche Insider • RSS
• Archive
• CONTACT
|
|
|
Goalie Jonathan Bernier will make his Avalanche debut and defenseman Nikita Zadorov will make his season debut Saturday in New Jersey.
Zadorov was a healthy scratch Thursday in the season opening 4-2 win against the New York Rangers when Semyon Varlamov was terrific while making 37 saves.
"I'm excited to play, for sure," Zadorov told reporters after practice Friday. "I'm going to bring my best game. I'm really happy the boys got the win. I was cheering, I did everything I could to help my team. I'm going to come tomorrow, play my hardest game and get a win."
The 6-feet-5, 230-pound Zadorov missed the first week of training camp while waiting for immigration paperwork to be completed after he signed a new two-year, $4.3 million contract.
Fellow Russian Andrei Mironov played in his place, logging a team-low 11:24 among defensemen in his NHL debut. He took an interference penalty with 40 seconds left in the first period, and the Rangers tied the game 2-2 with two seconds remaining on Mika Zibanejad's second power-play goal of the period.
The Avalanche on Friday recalled Anton Lindholm from San Antonio, giving them eight defensemen. Forward Joe Colborne cleared waivers Thursday and was assigned to the AHL team.
Coach Jared Bednar didn't reveal who will be scratched against the Devils.
"I think it's important to put (Zadorov) in because I think he can help us," Bednar told reporters. "I think it was important to keep him out (Thursday). We have to make sure that everyone's on the same page with this thing."
It won't be a shock if Bednar sits Matt Nieto and plays Carl Soderberg, who was scratched against the Rangers. Nieto took three minor penalties while playing on the fourth line and didn't have a shot on goal.
"We have some tough decisions to make, no doubt," Bednar said. "Based on last night's game we have high expectations for everyone."
The Avalanche need to do a better job defensively than they did against the Rangers. They were outshot 39-26, and the count was 69-44 including shots that missed the net or were blocked. Varlamov faced far too many outnumbered chances.
Erik Johnson logged 26:37, had two shots, four hits and was plus-2. Tyson Barrie had a goal and an assist in 25:14, had four shots and was plus-1. Newcomer Patrik Nemeth played 18:33, had an assist, three blocked shots, two hits and was plus-2.
Matt Duchene, who had a goal and an assist, had a rare off night on faceoffs, as did most of the Avalanche. He lost seven of 12 draws, and the team lost 35 of 55.
Rookie Alexander Kerfoot, who set up Barrie's goal with a cross-ice pass, played 12:06 and was plus-2. He'll be playing against the Devils team that drafted him in 2012.
New Jersey defenseman Will Butcher, drafted by the Avalanche in 2013, will make his NHL debut. The former University of Denver star won the Hobey Baker Award last season for the NCAA champion Pioneers.
Join the Discussion:
»