Samuel Girard ready to be an Av; Lines and D pairs for Friday's game

(Material used in this story was provided by BSN Denver’s Jesse Montano, who is in Stockholm and obtained this first-hand)

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – Samuel Girard is the one player acquired in Sunday’s blockbuster Matt Duchene trade who will actually play for the Colorado Avalanche, starting Friday against Duchene and the Ottawa Senators.

To say that the last week has been a bit hectic for the 19-year-old defenseman would definitely be an understatement.

“Yeah, for sure like, you know the last couple days was busy.” Girard told BSN Denver. “You know – with travel, new team, new teammates, new organization; but I’m good, I think, in my place here. And I’m very happy to join this Colorado organization.” 

Girard is expected to be paired with Tyson Barrie against the Senators. He practiced some with Erik Johnson, too, but Mark Barberio will start the game paired with him.

“I think that’s the path we’re going with.” Barrie told BSN Denver, “Obviously, we still have to get physical and play hard in the D-zone and stuff but, you know, if you can move and move the puck, you know, jump up into the play and help create some offense from the back end, I think that’s a big part of today’s game.”

“I’m just ready to be a part of that group, and we are pretty excited to play tonight,” Girard said, at the morning skate.

Here are the lines and D pairs for the game, which starts at noon MST:

Rantanen – MacKinnon – Landeskog

Yakupov – Kerfoot – Andrighetto

Comeau – Compher – Nieto

Grimaldi – Wilson – Bourque

DEFENSE

Barberio – Johnson

Girard – Barrie

Zadorov – Bigras

GOALIES

Varlamov

Bernier

Tyson Jost participated in the morning skate, but will not play. Carl Soderberg remains in Denver to be with his expectant wife and will not travel to Sweden for either game.