Avalanche Defenseman John Ludvig ‘Surprised’ Coach Jared Bednar In First Game

How Ludvig got to the Avalanche

The organization claimed Ludvig off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 5. He recorded five points in 33 games with the Pens last season. He earned 25 points in 74 career AHL games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the Charlotte Checkers and the Syracuse Crunch from 2020-24. The Florida Panthers drafted him in the third round (69th overall) in 2019.

Avalanche need to step up defensively against Boston Bruins

Colorado is 0-3 to start the season and will face the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night. The Bruins are coming off a 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers, who were missing their top two forwards.

“They got some elites over there, and some bigger guys that’ll finish checks over there so I think for us it’s just giving those top guys no time and space, don’t let them do what they want to do in the offensive zone, and just shut things down for them,” the 24-year-old defenseman said about facing the Bruins.

Of the three D-pairs that played Monday night, Sam Malinski and Ludvig were the only pair that did not have a minus rating. Ludvig registered one shot on goal in the 18:03 he was on the ice.

“We just got to bring a strong defensive game tonight, and that’s something that’s been missing for us, and then let the offense take care of itself …,” Ludvig said after morning skate. “I think just compete in our own end. We had a big talk this morning, and we need to start winning more puck battles and beating guys one-on-one in our own end. And that’s what our defense is going to start with is competing, and then from there on, we’ve been okay, system wise, but it’s got to start with winning some battles and competing down low.”

Who will play vs the Bruins

The Avs have eight defenseman on the roster and Bednar said he was going to shuffle players around depending on the matchups. With top defenseman Devon Toews out due to a lower-body injury last game, Bednar scratched Calvin de Haan and put in Ludvig and Oliver Kylington. All three were on the ice for morning skate, so who will play against the Bruins is unknown until warmups.