Avs-Bruins player grades: What did Albert Einstein say again, about the definition of insanity?

BOSTON – Oh that’s right: Doing the same thing every time and expecting a different result. I can’t believe this overtime thing. But it comes down to the same thing every time: the Avs can’t finish anything with any of their chances in overtime. They overpass, just miss, get robbed, lose key faceoffs, turn pucks over and can’t make a big save. If they did any one of things better, they wouldn’t be losing every single overtime game.

On to the grades:

Gabe Landeskog (B) – I thought the captain played a mostly solid game. Seems like he’s having a little trouble finishing his chances right now, like a lot of guys, but he worked hard at both ends.

Nathan MacKinnon (A-) – Great first-period goal, sick shot. Six shots on goal in the game. Would it be nice if he could have a 2-2-4 kind of a game again? Does a bear do his business in the woods? He was dangerous all day though. He did turn the puck over on his first shift of the game, that nearly led to a Bruins goal if not for Varly bailing him out.

Mikko Rantanen (C+) – Another kind of mediocre game for him; too many of them lately. Is he feeling worn down? Doesn’t seem to have the same quickness he did in the first half. He got hauled down with about three minutes left in regulation, and it should have been a penalty.

Alexander Kerfoot (C+) – Only played 12:50. I thought he played with some pretty good feistiness and he had a couple of decent chances. It feels like he’s kind of caught in between with what his identity is with this team now, though. Not sure if that’s expressing things well enough, but it just seems Jared Bednar doesn’t quite know how to use him, and I think it’s reflecting in the ice time

Carl Soderberg (C-) – Not a great game for big ‘ole Carl at even strength. He took a penalty that was out of character for him, an interference call on Charlie McAvoy that was pretty blatant. He was trying to address McAvoy’s hit on Matt Nieto before that, so I respect him sticking up for a teammate. But there are probably better ways to do that than putting your team down a man for two minutes.

J.T.  Compher (B-) – He got an assist on the MacKinnon goal and skated hard. That’s two games in a row he’s gotten points, which is nice (originally, when writing this grade, I’d forgotten he was credited with a goal Saturday. That was his first goal since Dec. 27).

Matt Calvert (C-) – He had four shots on net. But he was also on the ice for both Boston goals. Not all his fault, of course. I mean, the OT goal was a lucky one for Boston. But, I mean, he’s judged on the results too. Effort is fine, but it’s about results.

Matt Nieto (C) – He’s got four goals in 52 games. Just seems like it’s too hard for him to get offensive chances. I thought he was pretty good on the penalty kill, though.

Colin Wilson (D) – Only played 6:51. It’s possible he sustained an injury, but I wasn’t told about it if so. Didn’t do much of anything when he was on the ice, though.

A.J. Greer (C+) – Kind of hard to judge him, as his ice time was, again, minimal.

Sheldon Dries (C+) – The kid works hard, but it seems like he just can’t score when he has chances. He was called for a penalty with 2:15 left that cost his team any real chance of winning at the end of OT. It was an iffy call, but he has to be smarter than that to give refs an excuse to make calls on first-year players like him in that situation.

Sven Andrighetto (D) – Just seems like he’s lost some confidence. He only played 8:58, but there’s a reason why he’s become a fourth-liner. He just hasn’t produced enough offense.

Erik Johnson (B+) – I thought he was real good. Bad luck on the OT goal, but he was strong on the puck most of the game and seems like he’s the best D-man on the team again.

Sam Girard (C) – He had negative puck-possession numbers and seemed a little off with his decision-making at times. Not a bad game by any means, but you keep waiting for him to be excellent again and it’s not there yet.

Ryan Graves (B+) – I thought he was just fine out there. I like the kid’s play a lot so far. He’s big and active on the puck and a pretty good skater. He’s probably up to stay with the team for the rest of the season, as he would have to clear waivers to be sent back to the Eagles, and I think he’d be claimed if he were.

Tyson Barrie (B-) – I thought he was fine, although it would sure be nice if he could produce more on the power play again. Had the puck a lot today and mostly was sound with it.

Patrik Nemeth (C+) – I thought he was pretty decent out there. I think he’s played a bit better of late, which is encouraging. But these are probably his last few months as an Av.

Nikita Zadorov (B) – Had five hits, including a pretty good Z-Smash. Didn’t have the puck a whole lot, but generally was solid.

Semyon Varlamov (A-) – Nice game for Varly. Made many excellent saves. Seems quicker on his feet again. He’s gonna have to keep it up if the Avs are to have any hope of making the playoffs.