Avs-Flames game three player grades: Bright light beatdown

Sven Andrighetto (C) – This is a totally neutral grade because I don’t have an opinion on his game either way. He had a silly penalty early on but beyond that was relatively quiet throughout. It looked to me like Bednar used the early game to get some practice in for a potential 11-forward lineup.

Tyson Barrie (B+) – He had an assist and it could have been a whole lot more. He was firing away and created a number of good looks. His aggression in attacking up the ice without the puck is creating havoc for Calgary’s forwards getting back.

Gabriel Bourque (B) – He played really well again tonight. Calgary’s fourth line got the best of Colorado in game one but since then the Avs have had the better go of it with the fourth line. That’s especially impressive because Bill Peters keeps trying to sneak Gaudreau’s line onto the ice against the Jost line and it isn’t mattering.

Matt Calvert (B-) – The Flames can’t seem to stand him and that means he’s doing his job. His PK work was up and down tonight as he missed some clearing opportunities early but played better later on. He gets an extra “awww” because I walked by him right after the game and he was already out of his gear and holding hands with his kids and being Dad. It was cute. Calgary wishes he was that nice to them.

Ian Cole (A) –Three games into the playoffs and Colorado’s second-leading scorers are Matt Nieto and Ian Cole. Lol. Cole had a couple of penalties tonight and a bad start but he picked his game up significantly. Two assists for Cole bumps him up to the ‘A’ territory.

J.T. Compher (B) – Back leading a line from center, he looked better than he has all series. He didn’t have any epic moments like his game-tying goal from game two but he got an assist on the first goal and was solid throughout. A respectable night overall for JTC.

Philipp Grubauer (A) – He got bailed out twice by teammates as Landeskog and Cole each made saves for him when he couldn’t get there but that’s why this is a team game. Grubi was otherwise fantastic.

Erik Johnson (A) – This is the EJ the Avs have been needing to see. He was a beast tonight and much better than he has been previously. His goal was cool and I loved him chirping media after the game to hurry up as they scrambled to talk to Makar. Winning is fun.

Tyson Jost (A) – He didn’t get on the scoresheet but if you watched this game and thought Jost was anything less than awesome tonight, well, we strongly disagree. I’d have loved to see him put that goal away after he danced Mike Smith but he was straight fire tonight.

Alexander Kerfoot (B) – Snagged a point, and he’s still a tough customer given his stature. I feel like he and Landeskog are just the most snake-bitten Avs right now and both are lurking as multi-goal scorers in an upcoming game. Kerfoot has just been part of SO many chances this series.

Gabriel Landeskog (A+) – It was a great night for Landeskog despite just the one point and multiple penalties. He was a do-everything beast as usual, including six shots on goal and five hits. He took down Matthew Tkachuk in a late-game altercation that removed Tkachuk from the game and that was key as things spiraled out of control in a blowout. Landeskog is once again thriving in the rugged world of playoff hockey.

Nathan MacKinnon (A+) – I mean…this is what dominance looks like. MacKinnnon has been Colorado’s best player through the first three games and he took it to another level tonight with a three-point first period. He was hat-hunting the rest of the game but couldn’t quite get the third goal. His speed and determination have not been matched by the Flames. Not even close.

Cale Makar (A+) – When he scored that goal, I honestly didn’t even believe it for a second. The universe, which has been relentlessly cruel to the Avs at so many turns, let Colorado have this one. The crowd was in a pregame frenzy as the combination of that first playoff game at home combined with MakarMania to create a whirlwind of emotion and expectation. Makar lived up to it, scoring the third goal (and eventual game-winner) and showing the offensive upside that has everyone so excited about him. What put his night over the top was his work defensively, where he blocked a couple of shots and showed poise well beyond his years. You couldn’t script a more perfect NHL debut. Now he just has to follow it up.

Patrik Nemeth (C+) – Nemeth was solid as he normally is. His spot in the lineup might be in question if Brassard and Girard both return to the lineup on Wednesday night but that’s a problem for a later day. Tonight, Nemeth took care of business and was overall steady and reliable. It’s never sexy but it was effective.

Matt Nieto (A) – Two SHGs for Nieto in two games. He’s obviously feeling it a bit right now as he has three points in the last two games. He banged home the rebound from Cole to put the Avs up 4-0 and really stretch the lead. Stars carry teams in the postseason but nobody ever wins anything meaningful without contributions from down the lineup. Nieto has gotten it done.

Mikko Rantanen (A+) – Well, he’s certainly back now. If there were any lingering questions about Mikko, they should be put to bed now. His passing was sublime and he could have easily had more than just one assist and he scored his first career playoff goal tonight to boot. He’s a special talent.

Carl Soderberg (C-) – I think Soderberg might be the only Av who struggled tonight. I mean really struggled. He didn’t look good offensively and he continues to get obliterated in the faceoff circle (two wins in 10 attempts??). The Avs have gotten away with it for now but he’s drawing a matchup primarily against Gaudreau and that little fella is just waiting to go off and make his mark in this series. Carl needs to get it together before Gaudreau does.

Colin Wilson (C+) – I didn’t really think much of Wilson’s game overall (not good or bad) but he did make a great pass to Rantanen for that one-timer. Rantanen also set him up for a breakaway but he couldn’t finish.

Nikita Zadorov (A+) – There was a puck bobble or two but this guy just physically owned Calgary tonight. He added to his pet menagerie tonight and upon receiving a game misconduct in the third period, egged the crowd on to giving him a little extra love. He was certainly deserving of the adulation on this night.