Avalanche Game 38 Grades: Kings Ransom

Nicolas Aube-Kubel – B-

That penalty sure was, uh, something. Beyond the penalty, he was one of the few players I thought played well throughout the game, for the most part. Hard work on the boards and some good exits leaving the zone. The goal sure helped make up for whatever the heck he was doing on that high sticking.

Andre Burakovsky – F

Yes, Burky played in this game. No, he didn’t do anything, other than miss the net going for the empty net. I will always say that a night where Burakovsky doesn’t attempt a shot is an unacceptable night from him.

J.T. Compher – C

Stellar block to help spring the Aube-Kubel goal, which more or less sealed the game. Still got beat up on the shot chart like most of the team did.

Samuel Girard – C+

The Avs top pair did not have it tonight, and Girard helped pick up the slack by at least moving the puck the other direction. Loved seeing him throw a big hit along the boards in the third period. He surprises you with that sometimes. Didn’t love him getting walked by Byfield in the second but he was also at the end of his shift.

Erik Johnson – B

Rather pedestrian two periods, then turned into a beast in the third period when the Avs really turned it up. His physical play was very noticeable, and he was breaking up plays at even strength and on the penalty kill.

Jack Johnson – C

The only positive shot-share guy on the blue line. Had some decent shots from the blue line as well. Would be nice to see him pot one since he hasn’t gotten on the board since opening night.

Tyson Jost – D

Jost played less than Maltsev, which is not something I would have bet on. The penalty kill got burned for one goal against that he was out there, but also stabilized things a bit when the Avs were struggling at even strength for the first two periods.

Nazem Kadri – C

Still managed to get his chances. Had a nice toe drag chance late in the game that Quick managed to get a pad on. You can’t score every night, I guess.

Darcy Kuemper – A

There was a lot of quantity in this game and maybe not a ton of quality at times, but maybe that was a good thing for him. Played great, and his best save of the night was on Byfield in the second period when he got past Girard. Really held the Avs in this one.

Gabriel Landeskog – D

Top line was…pretty bad. Landy’s best and most noticeable play of the night was getting a stick on Doughty’s attempted clear on the opening goal. Beyond that, didn’t do much, as the top line was held in check.

Kurtis MacDermid – C

I can’t say I noticed him too much, which is a good thing when he’s playing defense. Had some decent hits and don’t recall anyone getting around him.

Nathan MacKinnon – D

Great shot/pass on the Rantanen goal to at least get the Avs ahead. After that…not a whole lot. The Kings are a tough matchup for even MacKinnon on a back-to-back with Kopitar and Danault down the middle.

Cale Makar – D

A low-key game for Makar, no doubt. Only had one rush up the ice that I could notice, and spent a lot of time stuck in his own end. Love that the staff is now using him in end-game situations.

Mikhail Maltsev – C

Hated his first period. Soft all over the ice and had the puck taken off his stick multiple times with ease. In the second, he was a different player, playing physical and grinding it out, and earned some more ice time, as he was out there for the Sherwood goal. Consistency is needed for him to stick around and haven’t seen that yet.

Alex Newhook – D

A tough night for Newhook, but Bednar kept giving him chances with the occasional shift on the Kadri line. Zero shot attempts and didn’t get much going offensively.

Logan O’Connor – D

Offensive zone penalties aren’t great, and he took one in the first period. Also had a surprisingly soft play in the neutral zone that led to the Byfield rush. Did pick up the assist on the Aube-Kubel goal.

Mikko Rantanen – D

He just bleeds goals, and picked up a nice one off a deflection on the powerplay. I don’t love the call on him in the third period, but he’s been taking a lot offensive zone penalties in general, and that’s got to stop.

Kiefer Sherwood – C

Happy that he scored, even on a pretty broken play. He’s had some great chances in his stints with the Avs and hasn’t been able to bury one, so funny that of all of them, that’s the one that goes in. That goal allowed Bednar to roll the lines a little more and trust the fourth line in the third period, which was important.

Devon Toews – D

An uncharacteristically tough night for him, as he got destroyed in the shot share numbers and spent the majority of the night in his own end. His stamina was on display late in the game, when he stayed on the ice for several minutes to protect the lead and didn’t look tired one bit.