Avs-Jets Grades: Failure to launch

The Colorado Avalanche got beat down by the Winnipeg Jets by th score of 6-1. Players didn’t grade so well so you’ve been warned about the bloodbath below.

Tyson Barrie (D) – You know, he wasn’t bad at even strength. But his play on the power play hasn’t produced any kind of offense recently and tonight’s power play failures helped tilt the game in Winnipeg’s favor. It wasn’t entirely Barrie’s fault but when you’re the “quarterback”, you get to shoulder a little extra of the blame.

Jonathan Bernier (F) – Probably Bernier’s second-worst performance as an Av behind the fiasco in the Pepsi Center against the Stars earlier this season. His night got worse when he was pulled an being evaluated for injury during the third period.

Gabriel Bourque (C) – Not many played well tonight really but I liked Bourque running around throwing the body halfway through the third period when his team was down by six goals. Get after it, big guy.

Blake Comeau (C+) – This line was fine. Comeau returned and looked no worse for the wear. He was effective and his role remains important. He’s fine.

J.T. Compher (C-) – Not a great night for JTC. He didn’t accomplish anything offensively and he took a lazy penalty.

Samuel Girard (C-) – Girard had small moments but they were too few and far between. I’ve been left wanting recently with his play and tonight was another example of that. He really misses Mark Barberio, which is a concern of its own.

A.J. Greer (B+) – I don’t care how he played. Dustin Byfuglien stepped to him and Greer didn’t hesitate to take the fight. It didn’t matter in the game but Greer’s heart was revealed in this one and there’s no doubt he’ll be a fan favorite if he keeps going like that.

Erik Johnson (D) – He got rolled tonight and late in the game when things were decided he went and took a slash at a guy because he was mad. He’s already been suspended once this season because of him acting on his anger. As one of Colorado’s leaders, he needs to be a better version of himself in the face of adversity.

Tyson Jost (C) – I didn’t notice him much at all tonight so it’s hard to grade him anywhere above or below the starting point. He just existed.

Alexander Kerfoot (D+) – Didn’t see much offense from him tonight but he sure looked lost defensively a couple times. He certainly wasn’t at fault on the first goal against as that’s solely on Bernier but his recent struggles have really been a disappointment. Smart players doing dumb things always frustrates.

Gabriel Landeskog (D) – He got beat up in his matchup tonight and when the physical play elevated, he was nowhere to be found. Games like this are the ones that will bring out the questions about his viability as captain. He’ll say the right things after but his ghost act during is nothing short of disappointing.

Anton Lindholm (C) – Lindholm struggled with his puck management, which is normal for him. Good shot metrics though!  

Patrik Nemeth (C+) – Sure, why not? He didn’t get caved in at even strength and he didn’t do anything blatantly terrible. The plus here is admittedly arbitrary.

Matt Nieto (C+) – Of his linemates, he was the one that stood out the least. That isn’t a criticism, just a fact he isn’t quite as naturally talented as the guys he plays with. He has to have better games to stand out and tonight he didn’t do that, though he was solid. Fine, like Comeau.

Mikko Rantanen (D) – He scored a goal, his first since January 20, so that was a positive sign. His poor puck management on the power play led directly to the shorthanded goal that helped put the game out of hand. Not good, Bob.

Carl Soderberg (C+) – This line was fine. It was the dog sitting on the chair as the room burns around him saying “This is fine.”

Dominic Toninato (C) – He was out there, the stats show. Nothing bad ever seems to happen with him on the ice. That counts for something, especially given some of the recent fourth-line centers Colorado has had.

Semyon Varlamov (F) – He sucks in relief. As a rhythm goaltender, he just does not do well in relief. This was the third time he’s done it this season and he’s given up at least two goals in each of those appearances.

Colin Wilson (D) – The weakest link on the “top” line, Wilson just isn’t cut out for that kind of assignment. He’s a responsible player who is effective in certain situations but it sure is no secret now why Nashville was happy giving him up for a mid-round draft choice.

Nikita Zadorov (D) – Poor puck management and zero meaningful impact on the game is a recipe for a poor grade. Zadorov made like Chef Ramsey and put that recipe together masterfully. 

Jared Bednar (F) – There are no great options for matching up against Winnipeg without Nathan MacKinnon but continuing to force Landeskog/Kerfoot/Wilson when they’re getting caved in is how to get blown out and fail to be overly competitive. Bednar’s matchup struggles and rigidity with line combinations are part of the team’s road woes, with or without MacKinnon. Tonight, he failed his team. This was their second consecutive blowout loss to a division rival on the road while in desperate need of points in the standings. Easiest ‘F’ I’ve given out this season.