Avs-Jets Grades: Lose-A-Peg

Another loss, fifth straight overall for the Avalanche (0-4-1). Let’s take a look at the individuals:

Mikko Rantanen (D) – A blah night for the NHL’s leading scorer, entering the contest. No shots on goal in the first two periods, not much puck possession. He did hit the post on a shot. Rarely do the Avs win without a point from the top line, and tonight was no exception.

Nathan MacKinnon (F) – A failed night all around. Horrible turnover on the critical third goal by Winnipeg. Missed the net with shots, overpassed at other times, lost the majority of his faceoffs, part of an ineffective power play. He’s a minus-7 his last four games.

Gabe Landeskog (D) – Mostly the same as his other linemates. Lackluster showing, no impact on the hockey game. Won some faceoffs, at least.

Alexander Kerfoot (B-) – Great pass to Tyson Jost on the goal that made it 3-2 in the third. I thought he was engaged most of the game. One of the better players for the visitors in this one.

Colin Wilson (C-) – Had a nice steal and break down the left wall in the second period, but missed on the shot and that was mostly the only time he was noticeable in the game. Not terrible, just kind of there.

Vladislav Kamenev (D) – Was barely noticeable. Jared Bednar just doesn’t seem to know how to use this kid. One night, he’s a second-line center, the next night he’s barely getting playing time. Not the recipe for success for a player that is still developing and lacking full confidence.

Sheldon Dries (D) – Had a breakaway chance in the second period, but barely made Connor Hellebuyck move. Then, he took a killer third-period penalty that led to Winnipeg’s fourth goal.

Gabriel Bourque (D) – Just like most of the forwards on the night: barely noticeable. Just doesn’t have much offensive ability. He’s played 15 games this season, still hasn’t scored a goal.

Marko Dano (F) – Why is this guy playing at all right now? He’s been absolutely awful since being picked up on waivers. In seven games so far with Colorado, he has zero points.

Tyson Jost (B-) – Nice finish on his third-period goal, looked pretty good overall for not having played in a while.

Carl Soderberg (C+) – Had an assist, but was part of a penalty kill that looked woeful against the Jets’ power play. Admittedly, Winnipeg has a power play that makes opponents look bad most nights.

Erik Johnson (C+) – Finally scored a goal, a beauty of a move and shot in the third period that cut the lead to 2-1. Otherwise, he looked a bit lost in the first period at times defensively. I think he likes being the workhorse on defense, and maybe he’s felt under-utilized since being paired with Sam Girard? I don’t know.

Nikita Zadorov (C+) – I thought he was fine, in a losing effort kind of way. He had an assist and seemed engaged. But, no, he hasn’t been an impact player much of the time this year, and this game, unfortunately, was no exception.

Tyson Barrie (B-) – Nice pass to Kerfoot that led to the Jost goal in the third. He had four shots on goal. Was one of the Avs’ better players.

Ian Cole (C+) – Not very noticeable, but that’s not a bad thing for defenseman often times. He was even in more than 19 minutes. He wasn’t the problem tonight.

Patrik Nemeth (F) – Got crushed in puck-possession numbers, four Corsi events for, 15 against.

Matt Calvert (D) – A couple shots on goal, but nothing on the sheet and part of a very poor PK unit tonight.

Sam Girard (C+) – I thought he had some good moments in the first two periods. But he kind of petered out toward the end. Still, had good puck possession numbers, but Avs needed a play from him on the power play and they didn’t get it.

Semyon Varlamov (D) – I thought he was poor in general. Sure, a couple of spectacular-looking saves in the first two periods, but sometimes the spectacular save means you were out of position in the first place. Not particularly “his fault” tonight, but he just didn’t have it in him to be the difference-maker.