Martin wasn't able to pick up the victory in his first outing as the Avs lost 3-2 in overtime at SAP Center, but he did enough for the coaching staff to have confidence in putting him back out there again. He'll get another crack at the Sharks this evening as the clubs close out a home-and-home series at Pepsi Center
"I thought he played real well against San Jose, and we get San Jose again," head coach Jared Bednar said of starting Martin again. "Made some big saves for us. The goals that went in, kind of deflections in front of the net. Giving him a good chance to go back in the net and see if he can kind of repeat that last performance."
The Oakville, Ontario, native is expecting a little different atmosphere in his first home contest.
"I imagine it will be even more fun in front of a lot more Avalanche fans," Martin said. "I really look forward to that.
"I think the nerves will naturally be less, but I still like to keep my energy level and intensity at the same peak."
Martin played well Saturday in his debut in the NHL. He stopped 27 shots, a low number compared to his previous outings in the building as a member the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League.
San Jose's AHL affiliate also plays its home games at SAP Center, and Martin had played in the arena four times previously with San Antonio, including twice this year. He stopped 41 shots on Nov. 5 in a 6-5 win and made 37 saves on Jan. 4 in a 4-2 loss. Also, his first AHL shutout came at the home of Sharks on Jan. 10, 2016 when he stopped all 21 shots faced.
"I think that helped me a ton, actually," Martin said of knowing his way around the visiting rink. "Just everything from the routine of being in that city and in those hotels. It definitely made me feel comfortable."
