Avs Game 82 Grades: Let the fun begin

Nicolas Aube-Kubel – C+

Had some good looks in the game but couldn’t finish. Sometimes takes a little too long to make his move or a decision but is usually pretty smart about holding onto the puck.

Andre Burakovsky – D

Meaningless game but zero shot attempts at even strength. Can he find another gear in the playoffs? Hope so.

Andrew Cogliano – C

Had really good shot share numbers, but the fourth line guys vying for spots seem to also be spending a lot of time in the penalty box. Considering they’re all in the lineup to kill penalties, that’s not ideal.

J.T. Compher – C

That line didn’t do anything really of note, and Compher himself didn’t register any shot attempts, but had some good moments on the penalty kill. It was at least nice to see the line that we all think will be the third line in the postseason actually get a full game together.

Pavel Francouz – D

If Frankie has to come in come playoff time, consider me worried because he has not looked good in his last few starts. Some leaky goals and the first one was just ugly.

Samuel Girard – C

Definitely played soft on Jost on his goal, but offensively, I really was impressed with Girard. You wonder how much of it was the Avs not having Toews, Makar, and Byram, and Girard feeling like he should push the play more, but he was moving and had some good looks in the second period.

Darren Helm – C+

Stayed out of the box, so I’ll give him that, and had good moments on the penalty kill as well. I fully expect him to play in game one.

Erik Johnson – B-

EJ playing 23+ minutes a night is something we only see on the rarest of occasions these days, and that occasion is essentially a preseason game like this one. Actually really didn’t have any issues with him. Continues to understand he’s in the lineup to play physical and did good things on the PK.

Jack Johnson – B

It was the yolo offensive game for JJ, as he was jumping up a lot, even if he didn’t create much of anything. A solid night of penalty killing.

Nazem Kadri – B

I’m just going to go ahead and give him a good grade because him getting a goal right before the playoffs is hopefully a good sign. Also had a good look in the first to hit MacDonald wide open in front of the net.

Artturi Lehkonen – D

Not a particularly good game, following up a six-shot on-goal game with zero shots. Took a penalty as well which is not really a part of his game usually.

Kurtis MacDermid – INC

Got booted on like his first shift. I didn’t even see him extend his leg, so surprised the call was upheld. Short night.

Jacob MacDonald – A

Talk about a man built to play in a completely meaningless game where he could go wild. Was probably the most dangerous player on the Avs all night long, jumping in consistently and drawing penalties at the same time.

Josh Manson – C-

I really hope that the penalties don’t come back to bite the Avs in the postseason, because he sure takes a lot of them.

Ben Meyers – C

He played, had one good look in the second period that I can remember, but I think for him, just a nice thing to get into a game in Minnesota. Fans weren’t happy with him but has to be huge on a personal level.

Alex Newhook – D

Got to play with his actual linemates that I’d anticipate for Game 1, but Compher seemed to take most of the center responsibilities.

Logan O’Connor – B

Not his best fight, as he ended up with his jersey over his head, but I like when he’s got to play nasty. He knows he’s fighting to stay in the lineup, so have to do what it takes.

Mikko Rantanen – B

10 shot attempts, a nice assist on the Kadri goal, and he made it out of the game alive. I’ll call that a big success.

Nico Sturm – B-

He really hounds people in the defensive zone and is pretty relentless with his stick work. A solid night on the PK.