Avs-Coyotes Grades: What was that?

The Colorado Avalanche fell to the Arizona Coyotes 3-1 in the first of a six-game homestand.

How did the players grade out? Let’s find out!

Sven Andrighetto (C-) – Had two open opportunities to score in the first two periods but wasn’t able to get the puck on net either time. He is a true boom-or-bust player.

Mark Barberio (D) – Barberio filled in admirably for Barrie tonight and he made several solid plays on the back end. That tepid compliment was as good as it got for Barberio tonight as multiple third-period mistakes again showed his limitations and the third goal was a result of terrible decision-making and execution on his part.

Tyson Barrie (M) – As in wow did this team miss Barrie’s offensive contributions tonight. The power play never really got going without him and the impact of his injury is only just beginning to be felt but it was a discouraging start.

Blake Comeau (C) – An average night for Comeau. No big mistakes but he didn’t stand out in a big way either. He had some moments of effectiveness along the way but baby steps don’t get good grades.

J.T. Compher (C+) – I actually really liked what No. 37 did tonight. He had some opportunities along the way and drew a penalty on what would have been another breakaway for him. He’s still struggling in the faceoff department but his all-around game is still fun to watch.

Samuel Girard (B) – There was a ton to like about Girard’s game tonight. He activated offensively and threw five pucks at the net. He played responsible defense and he stated his case for being a top power play option with his aggressive play in limited PP time.

Erik Johnson (B-) – He was partially a victim of some bad luck tonight as he made a good play to break up the play behind the net that led to the first goal and he hit Rantanen perfectly with a stretch pass to take advantage of a bad Arizona change. Beyond that, however, he was on the ice for too much damage against and clearly is not comfortable as a team’s top offensive option on the blueline.

Tyson Jost (C-) – One of the tougher grades to give out tonight because he simply wasn’t involved in much. Had a role in some good, some bad but wasn’t an impact player overall.

Alexander Kerfoot (C) – Continues to look like a work in progress in his return from injury. There were multiple “oh so close” moments where Kerfoot nearly created a special play out of nothing but no dice.

Gabriel Landeskog (C-) – A very quiet night for the captain. He was part of the top line that started to make a real impact later on in the game but couldn’t close. He was given a very generous second assist on Rantanen’s goal.

Anton Lindholm (C) – He continues to be a quiet player on the Avalanche blue line. He struggled early on

Nathan MacKinnon (C) – There were opportunities for him to make his mark on the game, none more notable than the clean breakaway early in the third period, but he was scoreless. The Avs simply aren’t winning much when MacKinnon isn’t part of the answer on offense.

Patrik Nemeth (D-) – He continues to struggle handling the puck and his contributions on offense seem to be random acts of kindness from the universe rather than legitimate creation. He gets a passing grade because of his contributions to a strong penalty kill that flexed its muscles again tonight.

Matt Nieto (C+) – His line was competitive and even though it had struggles, it also provided respectable complementary play. Nieto beat Raanta cleanly early in the third period but drew iron on a sequence he’ll surely be thinking about later.

Mikko Rantanen (B) – His shot was a laser and showed what kind of goal-scoring potential he possesses when he grips it and rips it. Had some positive moments on the backcheck tonight and made a perfect pass to spring MacKinnon for a breakaway that didn’t result in a goal.

Carl Soderberg (C-) – One of the odd nights his line was driven largely by the play of his wingers and he was mostly quiet. A softer night for him. Last year Bednar would’ve referred to him as a “passenger” on this type of night.

Semyon Varlamov (C-) – This seems a touch harsh because the first and third goals against were really out of his control for the most part but when the NHL’s worst offensive team walks into your barn and you allow three goals on just 27 shots, you haven’t done enough.

Colin Wilson (C) – Provided an offensive spark late in the second period with a strong shift down low, which is where he excels, but ultimately didn’t make it onto the scoresheet. He’s an interesting fit on this roster and Bednar still seems uncomfortable with how to maximize him.

Nail Yakupov (D) – There were some encouraging moments early but his decision to ignore a pass back to him sparked an Arizona breakout that led to their second goal. It sure looked like the puck was in reach but he gave no effort on it and was nothing more than a pylon in the defensive retreat that followed.

Nikita Zadorov (B-) – He was part of Colorado’s biggest pushes in the third period and made a great individual play that resulted in him hitting the post on a shot that would have tied the game. He continued his recent run of strong play and registered four more hits tonight while mostly paired next to Johnson.

Jared Bednar (C) – One of the toughest parts about judging the coach is figuring out when coaching ends and playing begins. Still, too many times under Bednar the Avalanche have come out flat off extended breaks and against weak competition. Part of a coach’s job is to get his team prepared to play and that simply wasn’t the case tonight.

The Avalanche return to action Friday night as they host the Toronto Maple Leafs.