Avs/Coyotes Game 2 Grades: Finding ways to win

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – C+

Overall, that line did really well in terms of possession, but definitely had some sloppy moments, like the rest of the team. Bellemare had a late icing that nearly hurt the team, but for the most part, the fourth line did what they need to do in keeping the other team out of the Avs end.

Andre Burakovsky – B-

Came close to whiffing completely on the game-winner, but it wouldn’t be Burky if he didn’t go bar and in for a big goal. I really hated a play he made in the second where he turned it over in the neutral zone with an exhausted line on the ice rather than dumping it in. Can’t be making mistakes like that here.

Matt Calvert – C

Calvert got just enough of the puck late to deflect it into the Coyotes defenseman, which helped create the game-winner. Beyond that, I saw some uncharacteristic mistakes, including a real soft clear late in the game that nearly led to the Coyotes taking the lead.

Ian Cole – D

Okay, so Cole was pretty clearly interfered with on that second goal. We can all agree on that, right? Beyond that, it was a rough night for Cole again, who hasn’t had a good start to the series after a great Round Robin. Played over two minutes less at even strength than the next closest defenseman.

J.T. Compher – B+

Outside of MacKinnon, it really felt like Compher was their best forward. He was buzzing all night long, and after Namestnikov went down, you could see the coach throwing him out there more.

Samuel Girard – D

Sammy has not looked himself with the puck this series. Uncharacteristic mistakes on the breakout, and just sloppy overall. I know he didn’t intend to score on his own net but the coverage on that play was a mess.

Ryan Graves – C

I didn’t notice Graves a ton, which is more than can be said for some of the other defensemen on the team. Some of his clears on the PK drive me insane with how soft they can be, but that pair was definitely the Avs most consistent.

Philipp Grubauer – B+

That first goal sneaking behind him was a little leaky, but I thought he was great all night. Felt really in control in net and didn’t seem to give up a ton of second chances. Will be interesting to see if he plays again tomorrow.

Erik Johnson – C+

EJ got beat pretty badly on that first goal pinching in the neutral zone, and was sloppy overall in the first, but really felt like he picked it up after that, and great patience from him on the Jost goal. I’m used to seeing EJ whip that at the net, and he took his time to find Makar at the point.

Tyson Jost – A

That’s how you make an entrance. Great shifts to start the game, grinding down low and taking it to the net, and a beautiful deflection in the second to give the Avs the lead. The Avs controlled 75% of the shot attempts with him out there.

Nazem Kadri – C

Much quieter game from Naz, but that’s someone who knows to toss the puck at the net, and that’s what he did on the game-winner. Another good night in the face-off circle.

Gabriel Landeskog – F

I can’t speak on the podcast anymore, because I defended Landy the other night. I can’t do that today. That was an ugly game from him. Too many turnovers, including one shift in the third where he felt like trying to dangle everyone leaving the zone. Ugly night and his only shot on goal was a floater towards the end of the game.

Nathan MacKinnon – A

Nate wasn’t going to be held down today. A superstar moment early in the game, and plenty the rest of the night that didn’t end up in goals. But his biggest moment of the night was two straight bull rush face-off wins at the end of the game. As someone who has never been a face-off guy, that looked like a guy who told his coach he wants the game in his hands.

Cale Makar -B-

I really don’t think we’ve seen a great Makar game yet these playoffs, and that’ s got to be scary for other teams, because the Avs are dominating the puck with him on the ice. Loved seeing the reverse hit in the second, that frustrated the Coyotes so much they took a penalty.

Vladislav Namestnikov – F

Before his injury, Namestnikov looked a little lost. Ugly coverage on the first goal, and just no impact at even strength. Hopefully he’s not too hurt because I do think the step down, with Donskoi already out, is a big one.

Valeri Nichushkin – D

A fairly pedestrian game from Nuke. The Avs actually got beat down with him on the ice, he provided zero offense. Missed a great chance early in the game off a MacKinnon feed.

Matt Nieto – C

Had a nice chance late but instead of stopping the puck, went for the deflection and it was easily turned away. Some failed clears on the PK and at even strength, but that line did well in terms of possession.

Mikko Rantanen – F

Talk about making me look bad. Mikko was a mess. Lost pucks, lost edges, just nothing was working for him. Zero shots on goal from your big star winger is just not good enough.

Nikita Zadorov – D

I really don’t think Z did much wrong on the penalty. Z’s issue today was sloppy play defensively. It’s something he’s avoided for the most part in the bubble, and it might not have helped his partner was struggling too. Honestly, his best shift of the game was defending the lead with the empty net late, where he made some smart plays.