A 2-0 deficit after one period, boos from the fans. Wow, did that all change in a hurry tonight eh? Let’s get to the grades:
Derick Brassard (C+) – Not his best game ever, but he finished a plus-1. Only played 12:46.
Nathan MacKinnon (A) – He got the comeback party started with a great goal, his 40th. He split the defense at the blue line, came on in and finished off the forehand. Everybody started breathing a little easier after that.
Gabe Landeskog (A) – Two assists, won seven out of eight faceoffs, tough in the corners. A classic Landy night, in other words.
Alexander Kerfoot (A+) – Two goals, two huge goals, for the Hah-vahd kid. He’s got eight points in his last six games, and they’ve pretty much all been big ones. He had some slick passes too. A couple overpassing moments in the first period, but after that he was full value.
Carl Soderberg (B-) – Seems like Carl has been a little off lately, at least with his offensive game, but he’s still a hard worker night in, night out. One shot, no points, in 16:55.
J.T. Compher (C) – On the ice for both Edmonton goals, didn’t notice him much offensively, only won 38 percent of his faceoffs.
Tyson Jost (B-) – Started off slow, like the rest of his team, but he got better as the game went along. Picked up an assist.
Sven Andrighetto (B+) – He scored the final goal of the night, and has definitely picked up his play in the last few weeks. He’s starting to seem more like the player of last year finally.
Colin Wilson (A+) – Honestly, I still can’t believe that goal he scored. A backhander off a spin-o-rama, from long distance and in traffic? Good lord, where did that come from? I think that’s the best goal of the season.
Gabriel Bourque (B) – He got an assist in his 10:25 and generally was strong defensively. Not as many gripes about him as there once were, eh?
Matt Nieto (B) – Made a nice contribution on that first Kerfoot goal, getting a piece of Erik Johnson’s shot that made it tough for the goalie to get, leaving a nice juicy rebound in the crease for Kerfoot to put home.
Matt Calvert (B) – Pretty solid game for Calvy. Got an assist and was engaged physically. He’s a tough customer.
Tyson Barrie (X) – A performance so filthy, it gets a rare X from me. One goal, one assist and a PLUS-5. His puck possession numbers were sick too: 31 Corsi for, 16 against. That goal was certainly a big one, tying the game in the second.
Nikita Zadorov (A) – Very good game for Big Z. Had six hits, including a rubout of an Oiler behind the net, then pass up ice to Barrie for that second goal.
Erik Johnson (B+) – I thought he was better than his numbers showed (-1, negative Corsi numbers). I thought he was real good after the Avs got the lead, making safe plays.
Sam Girard (C+) – Minus-1, negative Corsi. He was fine most of the time, though. I think he’s been better down the stretch, for sure.
Ian Cole (B) – I thought, like Johnson, he was better as the game went along. Strong on the puck, made the little plays well.
Patrik Nemeth (B+) – Good solid night for Broadway. Wasn’t very noticeable, but that’s a good thing with him. Played nearly 16 minutes of good hockey.
Semyon Varlamov (B) – There were definitely some second-guessers by the end of that first period, with him getting this start. Especially, after allowing that second Edmonton goal, to Darnell Nurse. But to his credit, he made the saves after that. It’s pretty clear, based on Jared Bednar’s postgame comments, that Philipp Grubauer still holds the top spot.

0 Comments (11 conversations)
ColoradoCartography
‘-Awful 1sts entire season
-That will be one of Bednars to focus on next year
-Here’s to a guaranteed top 4 pick
-Here’s to the best prospect coming aboard soon
-Here’s to hopefully learning it sucks to be going to the last game or two of the season (twice) and we tighten it up to clinch earlier next year
-Theres grubi we’ve wanted
-I’m hoping for Hughes but…mikkappo sounds sweet too
Wesley
Spot on AD ?
Hockeyhead
on Kerfoot’s first goal, it almost looks like Nieto purposefully deflected the puck right to Kerfoot. Like it was totally intentional. Wow, why can’t Wilson do that a lot more, what a goal. Mack’s goal was what we are so lucky to expect to see. Barrie’s goal was great, but seemed like a softie for the Edmonton goalie. Had the avs lost and missed the playoffs because of that second goal, Varlamov’s days in Colorado would definitely becoming to an end. I admit, I was calling for his head on that one. Great push back after a lousy flat first against a team that should be an automatic win. The slow starts are still a concern. They won’t be able to get away with that in the playoff if they do indeed make it. Which thanks to the hated kings is looking more probable now. Thanks to the Kings for securing us a top 4 draft pick too! Great night of hockey.
Hockeyhead
AD, great avs coverage again, all of you guys at BSN do a great job for all of us die hard av fans. but you might be slipping with a blues game picture for oiler-avs grades. LOL
Adrian Dater
AuthorPics wouldn’t upload for a while, so I had to use something. But I got a current one up now
The Heretic
I gotta give Landy a plus on this game. Pure Captain game for a team fighting for their playoff lives. Got his ass kicked over and over again along the boards and continuously sprung the puck to a teammate to keep possession. Over and over again. 2 points, great on face offs. Hell of a Captain’s game tonight.
Sunfunbun
Absolutely a great play by Z on the Barrie goal, as he’s behind Varly, rides the Oil player off the puck with his physicality, and brings the puck to the blue line where he hits Barrie with an in stride pass in the neutral zone and 4 goes on for a nice far side shot to score. That type of play is the difference Z’s checking can do for the Avs. Z’s assist and Wilson’s backhander stood out the most, for me, tonight. Congrats to the Avs for their 9th point game in a row, and nearly clinching the playoff spot, something that looked impossible after the suck vs duck.
Wilson’s goal was glorious. His strong play over the last 20 or so games along with that goal make me feel OK if he gets resigned whilst the abs continue to build some depth up front.
Mchave84
Best unintentional pun I’ve seen in a while!!!
NoMoreRats
Jost was like a dog on a bone on that final goal, winning a puck battle and then crashing through a check before putting it on Ghetto’s stick. It was a bit more than picking up an assist.
https://www.nhl.com/video/andrighetto-nets-josts-feed/t-300137968/c-67435103
Avsfan20
Preach! It was BEAUTIFUL work from Jost that led to Ghetto’s goal!
jpwheels
MacK’s goal sure was pretty, but I expect that kind of stuff from him.
Jost’s work on the sixth goal was awesome.
But Wilson?…that backhand was nuthin but filth!
Carter970
This is fun for me, tell me what you guys think.
Tyson Barrie Nikita Zadorov
Sam Girard Cale Makar
Erik Johnson Ian Cole
Carter970
OR.. do they stick with the current pairings and add Makar as a 7th Dman?
Colorado_Gary
Adrian “AD” Dater (XX) – Went to get coffee when things looked bleak for the home team. This action alone caused the Avs to tie it up.