Avs/Blues Game 2 Grades: Greatness

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – A

Another great game from Bellemare. Right after taking a high stick from Clifford, he jumps on the ice and blocks a Colton Parayko bomb. He wasn’t having any of the funny business from the Blues.

Andre Burakovsky – C-

The night got rougher as it went on for Burakovsky but thought he started out well. Had a nice chance in the slot early that got stopped by Binnington. Have yet to get that game-breaking moment from him through two games, though.

J.T. Compher – B

Love the chemistry between him and Newhook. Great work in the neutral zone on a rush at the end of the first period on the give and go. Moved up to the second line after Kadri’s ejection, and expect Kadri to miss the next game, so we’ll see what sticks.

Joonas Donskoi – A

Two goals from right in front of the net, which has kind of been his thing all year long. Liked him a lot tonight, more than his linemates, and while I don’t love his shot in the slot on the power play, he’s great in front of the net and isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty, which is huge for that group.

Sam Girard – C+

Great start from him, then some super sloppy play and uncharacteristic turnovers. It wasn’t even off super heavy forechecking either, just mistakes he isn’t usually making. Need to clean that up next game.

Ryan Graves – A-

Big time bounce-back game from him. He was dead tired on the Blues powerplay goal, but that’s because he blocked about 7 shots the previous minute. Big shot that he kept low for a tip early, which has been a problem for him this year. Still some issues with the puck but great battle.

Philipp Grubauer – B

Not a big fan of the third goal, but when the Blues really started to bring it in the second half of the game, he was big for the team. He’s not used to seeing that type of workload in a game, so 30+ shots must seem very foreign to him at this point.

Tyson Jost – B+

Another really strong game from Jost. Got stuck out there a little bit too much on the penalty kill with long shifts, but still battled out there. Didn’t panic on the empty-net goal by Saad with a guy coming in on him. Just continues to be great in the third line role.

Nazem Kadri – F

Loved his battle defensively in this game…then the hit happened. Expect him to get suspended and deservedly so. Can’t put your team in that position.

Gabriel Landeskog – A

The line got super sloppy in the second period defensively, but monster work down low on a few goals, including the massive hit on O’Reilly to get the game started. Just a spectacular start to the postseason for the Captain.

Nathan MacKinnon – A+

Didn’t love his entire game, as the defensive work was a little sloppy, especially in the second period. Not a lot of that matters when you have seven points in just two games, and put up a hat trick, including a goal that your team desperately needed late.

Cale Makar – B

He had a moment here and there offensively, but most of his work was done defensively this game. The Avs had some struggles breaking the puck out, and he wasn’t one in particular that did and kept a lot of things to the outside. Best shot share numbers on the defense.

Patrik Nemeth – F

Seconds before throwing the puck to absolutely no one on the Blues first goal, he made a sweet escape move. It caught me off guard. Then the pass reminded you of his serious limitations. The pinch right after the Avs scored to make it 4-2 was not good either, and a guy like Nemeth should understand his limitations.

Alex Newhook – B

Thought he had an incredible first period, but faded a good bit after that, and didn’t see much ice time in the final two periods. But in the first, he was terrific down low, taking some hits to make plays, and created a chance of his own off the rush. Will be interesting to see what role he plays once Kadri is suspended.

Valeri Nichushkin – B+

Had a monster shift in the second period where he just dominated the puck down low and took it back from the Blues multiple times before feeding Saad for a great chance in the slot. Wild how this domination sometimes comes out of nowhere.

Mikko Rantanen – B

Two more assists for Rantanen, but his biggest play of the evening didn’t even get him an assist. It was the dump and forecheck on Krug prior to MacKinnon’s second goal that got the puck back for his team. He then proceeded to get to the net for a screen. Little things go a long way.

Brandon Saad – B

Has come back and fit right in with Jost and Nichushkin, who appear to be pretty easy to play with for a lot of guys. Great slot chance in the second period that Binnington robbed him on. The empty netter was a little ballsy from beyond the red line, but it went in, so no shame.

Conor Timmins – C

The turnovers in bad spots are still happening, with one in the first and a few more in the second period. Got trusted a little more tonight than last game, but wonder if one tough moment here and there gets Byram back in. That might not be fair, considering Nemeth has really struggled with the puck, but they are in different roles completely.

Devon Toews – A

Just never is out of a play. You think he’s beat defensively, and he just casually breaks a play up. On top of that, he chips in offensively and is great at recognizing when to join the rush as a weak side defender. Another two assists for him, and a real stabilizing force on defense.