For Darcy Tucker, it will be his first game in an Avalanche uniform tonight. But certainly not his first game against the Boston Bruins.
If anybody knows what to expect from the Original Six Bruins, it’s Tucker, who spent the first 13 years of his NHL career in the Eastern Conference.
“They work extremely hard, and they’re a team that transitions well,” said Tucker, who signed as a free agent with Colorado after eight seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. “They can put you in positions you don’t want to be in. We’ve got to fight our way through that. It’s not going to be one of those games that’s won in the neutral zone. We’ve got to find ways to get the puck in deep and play.”
Tucker will play left wing on the third line, with Tyler Arnason and Marek Svatos.
“I don’t think it matters how many games you’ve played or how many years. You still get that butterfly feeling. I think that’s going to be even more so tonight, being with a new team and being in front of new fans.”
The game, nationally televised on Versus, will start at 8:20 p.m., after a pregame ceremony honoring USA Hockey Hall of Fame inductees Cammi Granato (sister of Avs coach Tony Granato), Mike Richter, Brian Leetch and Brett Hull.
“Obviously, it’s a special night for her and for the whole family,” Tony Granato said. “But we have to remember, it’s a special night for our team, too. We’ve got a hockey game to try and win.”
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
