Avs-Blues Grades: Point bandits

ST. LOUIS – The Colorado Avalanche beat the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night 4-1. Below are the player grades!

Sven Andrighetto (C+) – There were a lot of individual moments I like from 10 tonight but his inability to generate shots on goal despite possessing the puck in dangerous areas is frustrating. He and Jost played a beautiful two-man game that resulted in nothing. Have to clean that up.

Tyson Barrie (B-) – It’s hard to use any kind of shot metrics to judge a game in which a team turtles on a two-goal lead as hard as the Avalanche did because it greatly skews all of the relevant data. Fact is, Barrie was asked to be the number one D on a team protecting a lead. Mission accomplished, even if it was on the back of a lot of Varlamov heroics.

Gabriel Bourque (C) – I liked the fourth line right up until its last couple shifts. They actually almost scored! Bourque continues to chip in positively on a top-five penalty kill.

Blake Comeau (C+) – He was flying tonight, trying to create any kind of offense he could get his hands on. He nearly had a breakaway in the third period but couldn’t quite get clear of the defender on the penalty kill. He was quite busy and effective overall.

J.T. Compher (C+) – Common theme of the night: bad shot metrics. I don’t care tonight. This line was effective tonight and Compher had one great chance in the slot. He seems to score the odd goals more than straight up just beating a goaltender.

Samuel Girard (C) – I didn’t love his play tonight. Some of that is expectations (I grade him harder than Nemeth because his potential for impacting a game is higher, for example) and some is just his lack of maturity in certain areas of his game. He’s a blast to watch closely in live action though. So many small, subtle details to his game that can’t be appreciated on television.

Tyson Jost (C+) – This line had moments! They showed some jump tonight and part of the Avalanche stabilizing and providing resistance in the second period was because these guys rocked and rolled. Jost’s skill in the corners is just so high.

Alexander Kerfoot (C+) – It wasn’t always effective but I liked what I saw from Kerfoot tonight. A lot of positive processes that didn’t quite translate to results but if he plays like he did tonight regularly, he’ll work his way back up the lineup.

Gabriel Landeskog (A+) – Great game for the captain. His pass on the Rantanen goal was flat out immaculate. His three-point day gave him his fifth 50-point season in his seven-year career.

Nathan MacKinnon (A+) – Two goals and for long stretches the only offense the Avalanche could really get going. He’s an animal.

Patrik Nemeth (C) – I just didn’t notice him much tonight, good or bad. He’s the guy Bednar is leaning way too hard on in the absence of Erik Johnson but he’s getting away with it right now. He played 3:51 of the 4:00 the Avs spent on the PK.

Matt Nieto (C) – Like with Soderberg, I didn’t notice him too much tonight. He did have one great rush on the PK that was a thrill ride but alas, no finish.

Mikko Rantanen (A+) – His backhand goal was straight filthy. A guy that big with those hands? Straight unfair. He has a legitimate shot at 80 points this season.

Duncan Siemens (D) – Struggled a lot with the puck tonight. He’s been a feel-good story but his ice time reflects the loss of trust from the coaching staff as his old issues have cropped up once again.

Carl Soderberg (C-) – Nowhere near the dynamic, powerful player he has been in recent games. That happens when you’re not a star. 34 was just okay tonight.

Dominic Toninato (C) – I was fine with him tonight. He almost scored that elusive first NHL goal! So close.

Semyon Varlamov (A+) – 44 saves on 45 shots on goal. Got a little lucky on a couple close calls but he put himself in front of a whole lot of rubber tonight. Stud performance.

David Warsofsky (D) – I’m personally of the opinion this experiment needs to end and I’ve not seen anything that says otherwise. His four shots on goal led the Avalanche tonight but I don’t remember a single one of them. I do remember multiple failed zone exits, though, and that worries me a whole lot more.

Nikita Zadorov (B) – Guy is a monster. When Ivan Drago was designed as the perfect boxer, Nikita Zadorov is the prototype for NHL defensemen. He was credited with four more hits tonight and he’s developed a reputation as a guy that will flat end you if you venture beyond his comfort zone and it’s had a tangible effect on how opposing players attack with the puck. He’s a straight-up force.