Avs Game 24 Grades - Strong Start Wasted

The Avalanche came out strong, but penalties at the end of the first period killed their momentum and they were never able to recover, losing to the New York Islanders by a score of 5-3.

How did each player perform?  Let’s find out…

Andrew Agozzino (D) – After a great debut in the NHL this year, Agozzino didn’t look nearly as good tonight, and ended up with the worst possession numbers among Avs forwards.  If Mitchell returns to the lineup tomorrow, it will be interesting to see if Agozzino sticks around much longer.

Tyson Barrie (C) – Barrie has so much  more to give than what he’s shown this year.  The scary thing is that he’s still producing offensively even though he’s been very up and down.  Tonight, he didn’t have nearly as many controlled exits from his own end, and had a good amount of turnovers.  He led the Avs with 4 giveaways.  His entry into the zone before the Avs third goal is one we know he’s capable of, and why you don’t give up on a talent like Barrie.

Francois Beauchemin (C-) – He posted the worst possession numbers on the team tonight, and if you’re going to get in the way of your goalie, you have to block the shot, and he didn’t do that on the Islanders first goal.  He also gave the puck away a few times prior to the Islanders empty net goal.

Blake Comeau (B-) – Comeau showed great effort on his goal, and made several smart decisions on that shift alone that led up to the goal.  He also lost the key faceoff prior to the Islanders first goal, and didn’t do enough to take away the passing lane.

Matt Duchene (C) – Given he missed morning skate, Duchene probably wasn’t 100% healthy, but he looked fantastic for the first 10 minutes of the game.  After that, the top line struggled, and were on the ice for 3 goals against.

Brandon Gormley (C-) – Gormley showed a bit more jump offensively tonight, and even unloaded a bomb in the second period, that unfortunately missed the net.  He also got exposed on the Islanders third goal in front of the net by being too weak on Clutterbuck, and then failed to close the gap on the Islanders fourth goal, although he wasn’t put in a great position by his partner.

Mikhail Grigorenko (B) – A nice bounce back game from Grigorenko, who finished with the best possession numbers on the team.  He beat out an icing before Iginla’s goal, and also provided a nice screen on the shot.

Nick Holden (C) – He made a nice pinch to keep the puck alive on the Iginla goal, but he was getting turned around a lot in his own end, and got beat badly by Matt Martin on a second period rush.  He also  had an inexplicable icing in the third period, after fumbling the puck in his own end for 10 seconds.

Jarome Iginla (B) – Iginla had far and away his best game in a long time, and his goal was just proof that he needs to shoot the puck more at even strength.  I still don’t like his effort in the defensive zone, but tonight was a good night for him.

Erik Johnson (B-) – He was probably the Avs best defender, but on a night like tonight, that’s not saying much.  He drew a penalty by skating the puck through the neutral zone, something he needs to do consistently.

Gabriel Landeskog (D) – As mentioned with Duchene, the top line was whipping the puck around the first 10 minutes of the game, and then just kind of faded away.  Landeskog had an uncharacteristically poor defensive game tonight.

Nathan MacKinnon (D) – He got absolutely pummeled in the faceoff circle, winning only 2 of the 13 he took, and didn’t have his best game.  The expectations are higher for him right now, and the top line has to carry the team.

Andreas Martinsen (B) – After a few bad games, he bounced back nicely tonight, using his body on the forecheck and helping screen the goalie on Iginla’s goal.  He lost the faceoff prior to the Islanders third goal, but he was only taking it because Soderberg got kicked out.

Cody McLeod (D) – I really hope the return of John Mitchell means the end of Cody McLeod on the wing of Carl Soderberg.  After a few nice games, he’s been exposed the last three, and I’ve counted him icing the puck 8 times in the last 3 games at even strength.

Zach Redmond (F) – Yikes.  An all around disastrous game for Redmond.  He held onto the puck too long too many times, and got burned a few times.  He got caught pinching on the Islanders second goal, and couldn’t get back in time, and then gave the puck away on the Islanders fourth goal.  I don’t think he uses his partner enough, and the fourth goal was a chance for him to use Gormley for a breakout.

Jack Skille (B-) – Skille had another one of his strong games tonight, and that usually happens when he’s going in a straight line and keeping it simple.

Carl Soderberg (B+) – I thought he was the Avs best forward tonight, and I’ve said that more than a few times over the last month or so.  He looks comfortable on the team now, and with 2 assists tonight, is on pace for 51 points.  Considering all the different linemates he’s had, that’s pretty good.

Semyon Varlamov (D) – The guy just cannot put a string of good games together.  He’s playing too deep in his net right now, and that might be a confidence issue.  The last few years, Varly has not given up that goal that puts the game out of reach for the Avs, but this year, he can’t seem to stop them.  The fourth goal is one he’ll probably want back.

Chris Wagner (C) – With another game tomorrow, Roy used his 4th line a little more tonight.  Wagner was alright, and is starting to show a little bit more physicality, which is something he was known for in Anaheim.

The Avs hit the ice again tomorrow night in New Jersey to take on the Devils.  The game starts at 5 PM MST.