Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – C

The PK had a good night, but unfortunately, Bellemare was in the box for one of them as he took a holding penalty late in the second. I didn’t like some of his decisions with the puck, including wiring a pass to an unsuspecting Namestnikov in the second, but he had some good chances in the third.

Ian Cole – C+

Cole’s perfect flip out of the zone started the game-winning goal. A solid, quiet game for that third pairing, for the most part, other than some issues with the net empty. When your third pair is controlling 60%+ of the shot attempts, life is not bad.

J.T. Compher – A+

That line worked their butts off tonight and seemed destined to score a goal, with Compher getting the winner. Compher has low key turned into the face-off guy on the team with Kadri out and won nine of his 13 in this one. Also picked up an assist on the Landeskog goal, and I love him just taking it to the net from that spot on the power play.

Joonas Donskoi – A-

Great feed on the game-winning goal, and great work fighting through the defender to get in on the forecheck. Another strong game from Donskoi, who does a lot of puck carrying on that line.

Pavel Francouz – A-

I really thought Frankie had a great game. His rebound control is still a bit wild, but made some great saves in the third to keep the game tied up, including two pad saves on Okposo right in front.

Samuel Girard – C-

I thought Sammy was the worst defender on the team in this one. That doesn’t mean he was awful by any means, but just seemed a bit off, and got stuck in his own end a few times. Did manage to pick up an assist on the Kaut goal.

Ryan Graves – C+

Graves was able to get a few shots through to the net in this one, which has been a bit more of a struggle of late. Took a penalty early in the game and had a few rougher shifts to start the game, but settled in.

Erik Johnson – C

EJ might be pressing a little too much for that next goal, as he had a nice chance in the second period and wired it a little too high. He’s still jumping in the rush and creating that second wave.

Vladislav Kamenev – C

A super up and down game from Kamenev. Made a great move in the first to draw the penalty the Avs ended up scoring on, then lost his man on the Sabres’ first goal. He was even wilder in the second period, but a smart play on the Kaut goal to just shoot for a rebound. Didn’t play much in the third.

Martin Kaut – A

If he keeps playing like this, he’s going to force the Avs into a tough decision. Came out flying with five shot attempts in the first period, and picked up his first NHL goal in the second period. The goal started with him dumping the puck in and retrieving it all by himself. A coach’s dream.

Tyson Jost – A+

Boy, if Jost played like that down the stretch more often, he’d have a heck of a lot of people eating crow. Just a terrific game from him overall. He battled all over the ice, looked good on the penalty kill, and ended up with nine shot attempts. Great work behind the net on the game-winning goal. Just an all-around great game from Jost, maybe his best of the year.

Gabriel Landeskog – B

Like Jost, ended up with nine shot attempts in this one, and the opening goal of the game. He worked hard in this one and dominated in the face-off circle yet again.

Nathan MacKinnon – C+

I thought MacK was awful in the first period and picked it up after that. He once again is spending too much time hovering around the point. Loved seeing him take it to the net in the third. He basically ended Jokiharju’s career with a cross over in the second period that sent him to the abyss. Lots of shots blocked in this one from the perimeter.

Cale Makar – C+

Makar’s passing was a bit off in this one, with lots of them ending up in the feet of the Avs forwards, but he had his moments of greatness as well, activating in the offensive zone in the first to nearly score, and doing it again in the third period.

Vladislav Namestnikov – B

I actually liked a lot of what I saw from Namestnikov. His hockey IQ was on display in the first period, when he took a great angle to force a turnover and a chance for Kaut. Had a great rush up the ice in the third period but got his pass blocked. A real solid first game, by my eyes.

Valeri Nichushkin – B+

It seems like nothing bad ever happens with Nichushkin on the ice. The Avs dominated shot share with him on the ice, controlling 76% of the attempts. He nearly scored at the end of the game with a power move out of the corner, but at least managed to draw a penalty.

Matt Nieto – B-

Nieto was doubtful but ended up playing in this one. He was good on the PK overall, including a good stick on some passes in the first period. Already hurting from a big blocked shot the other night, he took a bit hit from Ristolainen in the second and looked to be in a bit of pain.

Logan O’Connor – B-

O’Connor didn’t play on the PK like we were told he would, but played a decent amount, including some good shifts in the third. He’s created some turnovers on the forecheck, which is what you want to see from an energy guy.

Nikita Zadorov – C+

Hated him with the empty net, but that pair was solid all night. Although his shot was too high, he did make a great move to create a shooting lane on the Jost disallowed goal. No offensive zone starts, and yet the third pair controls 60%+ of the attempts. For a third pair, you won’t find much better, if we’re being honest here.