Andre Burakovsky – F

Terrible analytics on a night where the Avs were actually okay in that department. Being outshot 11-4 with him on the ice, it was just another night where Colorado could have really used a Burakovsky with some jump. Instead, they got another lazy, soft night from a player who is really searching for his game right now. He had 12 points in the last eight games of last season and followed it with four points in 10 playoff games and just two points in six games to start this season. The Avs need him and he might be the ultimate lost boy right now.

Bowen Byram – A+

Uhhh…everything I wrote about Burakovsky is the opposite for Byram. The kid dominated at times tonight and played over 26 minutes, showcasing the faith the staff had in him. Byram’s night is a great example of a positive feedback loop: Staff empowers player, player feeds off confidence, plays great, staff has to reward great play with more ice, and on and one. While several other young guys are struggling to get into this cycle, Byram is very much there. He’s on fire and added an assist on Colorado’s only goal to up his season total to five, tying him with Rantanen for second on the team.

J.T. Compher – C-

I’ve liked Compher more often than not this season but this felt like a classic slide back for him. Zero shots on goal and when asked to elevate onto the second line, he just cannot handle that job. I thought the misplay on the short-handed goal was more Makar than Compher and I loved Compher’s effort to get back and disrupt Reilly Smith. It’s telling a failed backcheck was arguably his highlight of the night.

Darren Helm – B

I have no qualms about Helm’s play tonight. If anything, I’d like to have seen a little more of him out there. His personality fits nicely into a game that got scrappier as it progressed. He was sound.

Erik Johnson – B-

Would like to see EJ do a little more with some of the offensive opportunities he had but his defensive game was solid once again. He’s going to be Mr. Reliable on this defense all year.

Jack Johnson – C

At absolute most, Johnson’s hit on Kolesar was a two-minute interference penalty. That he got the gate for it is legitimately absurd. It’s indefensible, especially with them leaning on Kolesar being hurt and watching him return later in the game. Ridiculous mismanagement. His play other than that was typical Jack Johnson. Not great, not atrocious, on the negative side of shot attempts (just 9CF/11CA though) and scoring chances (3-5 in VGK’s favor).

Tyson Jost – C

Jost has to step up. He has great shot metrics and he does a legitimately good job of limiting the quality and quantity of chances against him on a regular basis but he always is fighting things with the puck on offense. Faster decisions, less reliance on playing in the corner, more confidence, play with a little more purpose offensively. Love his defense, but this team needs him to chip in offensively.

Nazem Kadri – C+

I know his shot metrics aren’t great, but I thought he was engaged throughout. Brayden McNabb smoked him and instead of making a fuss, he made sure he knew who hit him and went to the bench. When he had a chance later, he returned the favor in legal and clean fashion and the game was better for the exchange. Kadri played solid, hard hockey in a game that required it. He just didn’t quite finish anything, which is why his grade is lower than I thought his overall play warranted.

Martin Kaut – C

This was a fine game from Kaut. His best offensive chance he lost when he stumbled a bit with the puck, but I once again liked his engagement. His shot metrics were cratered by two shifts next to Kadri and Burakovsky, but was otherwise on the plus side of shot metrics without those guys. I liked his physicality.

Darcy Kuemper – B

The first goal felt like it was on his defense and the second goal just shouldn’t happen all-around and I felt like maybe he could have made a better play on the short-handed goal. After it got to 2-0, though, he shut it down and kept the Avs in it regardless of the quality or quantity of chances. To my count, this gives him three quality starts this season and two in a row. I love the way he battles.

Gabriel Landeskog – B

It was imperfect for the top line but they ate up Vegas in shot metrics, especially after the first period. Four shots on goal and two hits is the kind of stat line we’re really seeing a lot from Landeskog this season as he engages physically while also making his mark. Missed an empty net on a wraparound attempt in the third period that could have tied it. If he stuffs that, who knows how this game goes.

Kurtis MacDermid – F

Didn’t even finish his first shift of the game before losing his man in coverage and contributing to a goal against. Brought in to bring an edge and protect teammates, it has been Jack Johnson doing all the things MacDermid was supposed to do. Instead, it’s fair to wonder what he’s even contributing at this point because he played just 7:33 in a game the Avs were down a defender for the entire third period.

Nathan MacKinnon – A-

Got an assist, drove the hell out of play, and blocked three shots. He’s clearly making an effort to be a more complete player this season as he is much more engaged defensively than we’ve seen at any point in his career to this point. Needed to finish a little more but he was all over the place.

Cale Makar – B+

It speaks volumes about expectations for Makar that he played as well as he did, scored Colorado’s only goal, and I still feel he left a lot on the ice. He was far more aggressive with the puck than we’ve seen most of this season and he created a bunch of scoring chances because of it. He looks extremely comfortable next to Byram and the two of them took extended PK shifts together in the third period and did a great job. This was more of what we expect from Makar.

Jayson Megna – C

Finished with positive shot metrics. I was fine with his game. Low event, no results, no mistakes. Passable.

Ryan Murray – A

I might be on an island here but I absolutely loved Ryan Murray tonight. He was physically engaged in a way we don’t always see from him and he was filling up passing and shooting lanes with vigor. He looked like the all-around stalwart I was expecting more of when Colorado signed him. Very good night moving the puck and attacking.

Logan O’Connor – B

Great effort, great energy. No idea how he was the only player called for a penalty in a clear scrum situation but that’s NHL officiating right now for you. LOC is a legit crash test dummy come to life and he’s fun to watch night in and night out. He’s in the same positive feedback loop as Byram, only without the high-end skill to consistently contribute on the scoreboard. He’s morphing into a vital depth piece.

Sampo Ranta – C-

Robbed of his first NHL goal, Ranta had moments tonight I liked. I still think he is wandering aimlessly through the defensive zone but his motor is high and he understands the staff wants him to use his speed to attack on the forecheck and try to lay the body when possible. He’s more skilled than he’s shown but there’s still so much room for improvement.

Mikko Rantanen – A-

Like his linemates, I thought Rantanen got stronger as the game went on and that line was having their way with Vegas by the end…except on the scoreboard, of course. Sports are cruel like that. I thought the Moose was loose tonight. Loved a lot of his game. It’s hard to nitpick a guy who was on the ice for 17 scoring chances for and just four against. He deserved points.