Avalanche Game 15 Grades: Avs win a weird one

Jack Johnson – (C-) He was fine. Nothing egregious, but didn’t really contribute much.

Eric Johnson – (D) HIs decision-making has been questionable, at best recently, and honestly it was more of the same tonight. He’s just not great with the puck on his stick anymore.

Devon Toews – (B+) Don’t know how many times you can say it, Toews just makes this team so dynamic. Scored a goal tonight by driving the net on an odd-man rush.. as a defenseman. 

Cale Makar – (A) He’s so good. Watching him play is just a treat. Two goals and he looks like he’s feeling it. He drove the bus tonight for this group in what was a really weird game.

Jayson Megna – (C+) Jayson Megna had a “Jayson Megna” game. He gets the bump to C+ for showing some really surprising speed to generate a breakaway. He didn’t score, but it was a nice rush.

Valeri Nichushkin – (B-) This version of Val is a top-six player. He opened the scoring early by absolutely hounding Ottawa on the forecheck, winning a battle, and then winning a race to the net. Then his work is what sets up the sixth goal of the game for the Avs. You love to see it.

Nicolas Aubé-Kubel – (C+) Ok, he gets the + because he showed a real flash of *exactly* what you want out of him. Aggressive forechecking, and generating offense out of it. If he can settle into that role, he could have some value as a depth guy.

Tyson Jost – (C+) If he could find a way to finish more opportunities, he could be a legitimate top-six player. But he just can’t seem to break through. Shades of Matt Calvert. Opportunities galore, and not a ton to show for it. Liked seeing him stand up for himself when Tyler Ennis drilled him in the head for absolutely no reason.

Alex Newhook – (A) That’s it. That’s the stuff. Did the little things right, and put himself in position to have his natural instincts and abilities take over and he’s rewarded with the game-winner.

Logan O’Connor – (B) His motor never stops. He put himself position for a ton of opportunities tonight by just moving his feet. A Coach’s dream.

Ryan Murray – (C-) See: Jack Johnson.

Darren Helm – (C) He was fine. A nice veteran presence on a line with two AHLers.

Kiefer Sherwood – (C) I don’t know how to grade him tonight. ~6 minutes of ice time and his corsi was basically non-existent. He was there.

Sam Girard – (C+) In an up and down season for him, he was fine tonight. Looked like a top tier defenseman having an average night.

Nazem Kadri – (A+) A four-point night in an absolute wild game at Ball Arena. Kadri is rolling right now. He currently sits 4th in the NHL in points.

Gabriel Landeskog – (B-) Look, he and Mikko are getting Bs here because they each found ways to contribute.. but I want to see more out of Gabe on the ice right now.

Andre Burakovsky – (C+) Nice look across to Kadri on the first goal, but he needs to start hitting the net.

Mikko Rantanen – (B) Really nice finish to get his team back in it. He looked like he was really controlling play at times.

Darcy Kuemper – (C+) Some people may disagree here, but I had virtually no issue with Kuemper tonight. That’s a weird game, and on four of five of those goals, there’s nothing he can do.