Semyon Varlamov will make his eighth opening night start, passing Patrick Roy for the most in franchise history, when the Avalanche and Minnesota open the 2018-19 season on Thursday at the Pepsi Center.
“You haven’t played in a while and you’re very excited about playing the first game,… he said. “I’m sure the building will be full and the crowd will be very excited.
“It’s been a long summer for me. I haven’t played in a while. I played a couple games in the preseason and I felt good. I feel healthy and strong, mentally prepared for this season. I can tell I’m ready to play.…
It will be the 400th NHL game for Varlamov, who has a 193-150-41 career record. But he’s 11-12-1 against the Wild.
Defenseman Ian Cole and forward Matt Calvert will make their Avalanche debuts after signing three-year contracts as free agents on July 1. Forward Sheldon Dries, who signed as a free agent July 2, will make his NHL debut.
Devan Dubnyk will start in goal for Minnesota. He has a 16-11-1 career record against the Avalanche.
The Avalanche lineup (Mark Barberio is the lone healthy scratch):
FORWARDS Gabriel Landeskog -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen Alexander Kerfoot -- Tyson Jost -- Colin Wilson Sheldon Dries -- J.T. Compher – Matt Calvert Matt Nieto -- Carl Soderberg – Gabriel Bourque
DEFENSE Samuel Girard -- Erik Johnson Nikita Zadorov – Tyson Barrie Patrik Nemeth – Ian Cole
GOALIES Semyon Varlamov Philipp Grubauer