The first contest to start the new year is something the players having been looking forward to since the schedule was announced in late June, and they're ready to finally get going.
"You always have the same anxiousness and nervous energy and excitement to get the season started," said Erik Johnson. "I felt this offseason dragged on forever, so it's nice to get this one underway and starting off at home is always nice."
In the days, weeks, and even months leading up to the season, there is optimism with every NHL team's fanbase. This is the year the club will have success, play until June and end the season with a downtown parade.
The Avs players share in that anticipation.
"It hasn't been a great last couple of seasons, missing the playoffs two years in a row, but this year I think everybody is very confident with the new coach and some new faces around here. We're very excited," said Nathan MacKinnon, who is now entering his fourth year and will share alternate captain duties with Matt Duchene and Francois Beauchemin.
MacKinnon said this is the most comfortable he's felt to begin a season, but it's hard to get a read on the feelings that are going on inside Colorado head coach Jared Bednar before Game 1. Bednar never made it to the NHL as a player, so when he steps onto the bench this evening it will be his debut in North America's top league.
Bednar will have plenty of support on this night. His son and parents will be at Pepsi Center stands watching, while his wife and daughter will surely be keeping tabs back in South Carolina before they make the trek to Denver later in the year.
"It's something I've been working toward in my whole coaching life," Bednar said of his first game, nearly eight hours before puck drop. "It's exciting for me."
However, Bednar isn't satisfied with just making it to the NHL. He wants to have success and raise the Stanley Cup in Colorado, just like he did with the trophies he won in the ECHL and the AHL this past summer with the Lake Erie Monsters.
"For me, it's just the first step. To me, winning is what I want to do here--it's just not to be here and see how it goes," Bednar said. "I'm all in on this deal and in order for me to be happy, we have to have success."
This is Bednar's 15th season coaching in the professional ranks and his seventh as the main boss on the bench, where he's gone 251-158-42 (.603) in stints with South Carolina, Peoria, Springfield and Lake Erie.
Bednar's minor league days are past him. His time in the majors is about to begin.
