Avs/Coyotes Game 1 Grades: Patience pays off

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – B

The fourth line was quite strong tonight, and Bellemare ended up being the guy that drew the power play that Kadri scored on. Just determination and hard work from all of them. Bellemare hit the post in the second period that nearly saw the Avs get on the board then.

Andre Burakovsky – B+

Burky has been a wild ride in the bubble, fluctuating between awful and really good. Tonight was the good side, as he set up multiple great chances for his team, particularly in the first period on one shift. I think Bednar is waiting for him to have a few of these games in a row before promoting him.

Matt Calvert – B

It’s time to start keeping count of how many times Calvert dives to keep plays alive because it has to happen at least three times a game. Calvert had a strong game in this one. His mustache game? Not as strong.

Ian Cole – D

Well, if one guy struggled in this one, it was Cole. Not one, but two brutal giveaways in the defensive zone, and a retaliation penalty in the second period to give the Coyotes a power play. He had a strong Round Robin, so not concerned here.

J.T. Compher – B+

Another playoff game, another big-time goal from Compher, and the second game in a row where he’s had the patience in front to move it to his backhand. He’s beginning to build a bit of a reputation now in the postseason…

Joonas Donskoi – C-

Donskoi was okay but seemed to have some issues holding onto the puck consistently in this one. He was the only player on the Avs who failed to register a single shot attempt.

Samuel Girard – C

I’m not sure we will ever see Girard ice the puck as much as he did in this one. I counted five of them, which is not the standard from this guy. Solid game defensively though, as you should expect from him.

Ryan Graves – C

Graves looked a little…slow in this one. Some rough clearing attempts on the penalty kill and there were some dicey moments for him in the neutral zone. I think it’s something to keep an eye on, as the Coyotes aren’t afraid to send someone behind the defenders for a chance.

Philipp Grubauer – A

Let’s be honest, he could have left and gotten a cup of coffee a few times during this game. He stopped all the shots he saw, and that’s all you can ask for. As a goalie, this can’t be an easy one to play, but he stayed focused and his best save of the night was on Keller in the second with the glove.

Erik Johnson – A

Other than the odd-man rush shorthanded, where he shot far side and the Coyotes headed the other way, EJ was fantastic in this one. Nice to see him get on the scoresheet on the Compher goal, and he led the team with eight shots on goal.

Nazem Kadri – A+

Speaking of fantastic, Kadri has been a man on a mission since entering the bubble, and was the best player for the Avs in this one. The shots are great, but the Avs continue to dominate the puck with him on the ice. The Avs are getting exactly what they wanted out of him at the moment.

Gabriel Landeskog – B+

I have really liked Landy’s play in the bubble, and he was great in this one. He’s so good at exiting the defensive zone with possession and controlling it into the offensive zone. I shouldn’t be surprised that he got up after the big hit on the Rantanen goal, as he’s tough as nails.

Nathan MacKinnon – C+

The Coyotes clearly focused on MacK in this one, as he registered zero shots on goal for the first time in a few years…but he had plenty of chances to shoot. The first power play in particular, it seemed like he could have let a few rip. The Rantanen goal at the end seemed like a warning to the Coyotes that the beast may be waking up.

Cale Makar -B+

The Avs dominated with Makar on the ice (+27/-9 in shot attempts)…and yet, it felt like he’s still a little off. It hasn’t all come together yet, and that’s the scary thing.

Vladislav Namestnikov – C

It’s nice to see the Avs using Namestnikov on the penalty kill, as that’s an area he can help them in (and has already). At even strength, I really didn’t notice him all that much, other than flubbing a one-timer in the first period of this one. His spot in the lineup seems very fluid.

Valeri Nichushkin – B-

Did Nuke know Compher wasn’t going to win that face-off after the Kadri goal? He sure seemed to know that, as he intercepted the puck and basically created the second Avs goal with his work. Another strong defensive game from him, even if the passing leaves a bit to be desired.

Matt Nieto – C

A better performance than against Vegas for Nieto, but still leaves you wanting a bit more. It’s a shame he couldn’t bury that shot wide open in front in the second period, but it all worked out.

Mikko Rantanen – C

Mikko seems so close, and yet so far in terms of his game. He’s dazzling at times, and confusing at others, including stumbling out of nowhere in the neutral zone in the second, forcing his entire line to collide in the funniest moment of the game. Hopefully that goal at the end gets him going because keeping that second line together, in my opinion, will be key for this playoff run.

Nikita Zadorov – B

Z is playing pretty smart overall and seems to be doing what they’re asking him to do. I know some want him to be more physical, but when he’s had the chance, he’s thrown the body down, and you don’t want him chasing people, as that’s what gets him in trouble. A strong game from him, overall.