Avs-Coyotes Grades: Home cookin'

The Colorado Avalanche topped the Arizona Coyotes 5-2 in yet another home win.

Sven Andrighetto (B) – No points but he had three shots on goal and two hits to go along with standing up for himself when OEL took some liberties. The little guy’s heart is just what the doctor ordered for this team.

Tyson Barrie (A) – Two points and great at even strength. He helped generate another power play goal, the seventh straight game in which the Avs have scored one. He’s handled the ascension to the top pairing significantly better than expected. He had one turnover that nearly turned into an AZ goal that was egregious but he got bailed out.

Jonathan Bernier (C+) – Two goals against on just 24 shots wasn’t great and being injured again is discouraging. The first goal against is one he would love to have back. No grade for Varly below, who had just four saves in relief.

Gabriel Bourque (D) – Plenty of games this year the fourth line has been passable, chewing up ice time and making few mistakes along the way. Not so today as they got beaten up and helped Arizona climb back into the game in the second period. Bourque wasn’t good on the PK or at even strength tonight. He has to be inching his way closer to a scratch.

Blake Comeau (B) – A great goal under two minutes into the game set the tone for an afternoon in which the Avs struggled too much with a poor team but ultimately pulled away in the end. He snagged an assist for good measure. Great day for this line.

J.T. Compher (C+) – This line was dangerous for a nice change and actually competitive at even strength. Compher had a solid game overall and it was a nice showing for a player who has struggled to make an impact lately. 5-2 on faceoffs is a good change.

Samuel Girard (D+) – Thought Girard played pretty poorly today. He passed on multiple open shots in favor of low percentage plays and had a ghastly turnover that led to a mini-breakaway that could have changed the game. His recovery forced a tougher shot so kudos there but not a day he’s going to look back on fondly.

Tyson Jost (B) – Strong at even strength after a very slow start, Jost picked up his game as the intensity ratcheted up. His power play goal in the third gave the Avs the relief they needed and took the wind out of Arizona’s comeback sails.

Alexander Kerfoot (D) – At this point, he just needs a night off. He provided no offensive punch to the fourth line and continued to look like a player who just doesn’t have any gas left in the tank. He was part of the second power play unit that once again produced absolutely nothing.

Gabriel Landeskog (C) – Landeskog was pretty quiet today as his linemates fought through some ineffectiveness before breaking through with another great statistical afternoon. Landeskog didn’t record any points and had just one shot on goal.

Nathan MacKinnon (B) – MacKinnon was just okay today as his line failed to break even at even strength in shot metrics, which is rare these days. He still managed two assists, a testament to just how locked in he continues to be on home ice.

Patrik Nemeth (D+) – Like Girard, I felt Nemeth played a poor game today. His best work was probably in moving the puck in the offensive zone as he kept several possessions going with aggressive decisions. He got turned around defensively a couple times and really looked out of sync at times in his own zone.

Matt Nieto (C+) – Like Landeskog, Nieto watched his linemates prosper without him. He was part of some good on the afternoon but had a pretty quiet game compared to his linemates.

Mikko Rantanen (B+) – Hard to give a guy with a three-point night too negative of a grade but I didn’t feel Rantanen played a very good game despite the scoring. Obviously, goals win games and his offense puts him over the top but he really was just okay at even strength today. Results certain didn’t match process today for Colorado’s top line.

Duncan Siemens (D) – Multiple failed clearing attempts by him helped Arizona get their second goal of the game. Bednar clearly agreed the third pairing needed a change but somehow it got worse today.

Carl Soderberg (A-) – Two more points tonight and a great game at even strength. Simple as that.

David Warsofsky (D) – It was an oddity when he was called up from San Antonio with no injuries but then he immediately got into the lineup. Stylistically, it makes sense as Warsofsky is a good skater and can move the puck. In practice, it was a disaster and Warsofsky looked like a guy who had been unexpectedly called up and dropped onto NHL ice. He probably should not play again.

Nail Yakupov (C) – There isn’t much to say about Yak either way today. He wasn’t on the ice for very much time and not much good or bad took place. He was on the ice for AZ’s third goal but didn’t play a prominent role in it. In reality, he simply isn’t providing any tangible value on the ice.

Nikita Zadorov (B+) – Well, that was fun. Zadorov was dropping Coyotes left and right with blasts from the point and bone-crushing hits. He eventually had his afternoon ended early when he got into a scuffle with Brandon Perlini.