Bo Horvat makes his NHL debut tonight against the Avalanche

COLORADO (NEWS1130) – The Vancouver Canucks hope to continue their hot start to the season when they take on the Colorado Avalanche in the Mile High City.

The team is kicking off a four game road trip, with the last three games taking place in California.

There will be a new face on the ice tonight for Vancouver. Bo Horvat will make his NHL debut after playing five games in the AHL on a conditioning stint. Horvat will line up at centre and he can’t wait to get started

“I am really excited. I had trouble sleeping last night. I was thinking about the game pretty much all night. Now that today has come, I am really excited and can’t wait to step out on the ice.”

Horvat’s parents and brother have flown to Colorado from their home in Ontario. Horvat admits he is a little nervous as the puck drop approaches.

“It is definitely going to be emotional and really exciting. I am going to be nervous, but I am more excited then anything. I just can’t wait to play in my first NHL game. It is something I have dreamed about since I was a little kid and it is going to come true today so it is definitely going to be fun.”

The Canucks will have Kevin Bieksa on the blue line. The defenceman took a puck to the eye on Sunday when Vancouver played the Predators. He left the game and did not return, sparking fears the injury was serious. The injury scare has made Bieksa contemplate wearing a visor

“The rules are the rules in the league. Whether or not I wear a visor is a personal decision and a family decision, so it is not something I am going to sit here and debate publicly.”

The Colorado Avalanche have struggled to start the season. Patrick Roy’s team has only managed three wins in their first 13 games, but one of those wins was a 7-3 blowout of the Canucks.

Tonight’s puck drop is at 6 p.m. You can watch the game on Sportsnet Pacific and listen to News1130 for game updates every 10 minutes on the fives.