Avs Game 40 Grades: Sleepy dub

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – C

Completely weird stat…Bellemare did not take a single face-off. Not very often you see that, but looks like Compher took over that role for this game. A pretty nothing game from Bellemare, with nothing much on the stat sheet.

Andre Burakovsky – F

A really rough game with the puck, especially in the first period with multiple turnovers on zone entries. Took a penalty in the offensive zone in the third period, which is never a good thing.

Kyle Burroughs – D

This was a really rough game for the third pair. At one point in the second period, they were stuck on the ice for a few minutes, struggling to even make passes to each other. Seems like every time Burroughs goes to take a shot, it flutters off his stick.

J.T. Compher – C

Compher was used pretty extensively defensively, winning some big face-offs, but his biggest moment of the game came on the shift with Nichushkin, where he battled in front the entire shift with a defenseman to take some eyes away from Gibson.

Joonas Donskoi – C

Not a huge fan of Donskoi on this top powerplay unit, but the third line provided the most energy on the team against the Ducks. Like most of the team, they had some tough shifts defensively, but at least balanced it out.

Samuel Girard – D

This was a big struggle for Girard, making some questionable decisions with the puck. At one point in the second period, he was behind his net and put the puck in Toews feet in front of Johansson. Not the typical panic decision we’re used to seeing from him.

Ryan Graves – A

Arguably one of Graves’ best games of the year, and maybe because of how active he was in the offensive zone. The pass to Nichushkin was a thing of beauty, and love seeing him pinching in late to try to create offense, even in a tight game. The slow pace of the game may have helped his game.

Jonas Johansson – A

Credit where it’s due, he stopped everything that came his way. Didn’t have to make a ton of big saves, but a nice one early in the second at a guy alone in front, and then one in the third on a backhand chance were probably the most dangerous. Maybe a big confidence booster for him.

Tyson Jost – B

Overall, maybe not his most effective night, but he provided energy when the team desperately needed it. He was a monster on the Nichushkin goal shift, gathering the puck a few times and getting it to Graves prior to the goal.

Nazem Kadri – D

The second line was sloppy, and unlike most nights, Kadri didn’t do much in terms of generating shots. Lots of turnovers from that line, and a sub-par faceoff night.

Gabriel Landeskog – C

Didn’t love his game with the puck overall, but at least that line controlled the majority of the play. Five shots on net from Landy is a solid effort any night.

Nathan MacKinnon – C

I could sense a little bit of fatigue in MacKinnon. At one point in the third, he had space but instead of rushing up the ice, curled back and passed it to his defenseman. That’s not usual from MacK. Still led the team in shots on net.

Cale Makar – B

Just a solid night after a really rough one where he played a key role in some goals against. He had a few rough moments in the second period, including one shift where the Ducks forechecked the hell out of him, but for the most part was really solid.

Keaton Middleton – D

Uh, not sure how it came to this, but here we are. The Ducks had nine shots on net with him on the ice, and the Avs only had two. The puck skills were not there, and even right before his penalty, he handed it straight to the Ducks forward. At least he had one decent hit.

Valeri Nichushkin – B+

After a really poor showing, more so defensively, a great game from him, creating energy and completely burying the chance all alone. Had some good chances early in the game as well.

Liam O’Brien – D

In a game where you would expect the Avs wanted O’Brien to be very physical and create energy, the only time I noticed him was when Manson smoked him at the end of the game.

Mikko Rantanen – C

A little bit sloppy overall, but he had some of the best chances on the night with Gibson robbing him in the first on the powerplay and then a chance late. Nice to see him get an empty netter at least.

Brandon Saad – D

Another super quiet game from Saad, which is what we’ve seen a lot of lately. The whole line looks out of sync, and Kadri and Saad don’t seem on the same page.

Devon Toews – D

Has looked sloppy all week long. Got walked by Rakell in the second period with a dangle between his legs, which we haven’t really seen from him this year. The acquisition of Nemeth may help alleviate those tough PK minutes.