Avs Game 1 Grades: Starting off right

Andre Burakovsky – C+

I liked Burky a lot in the first period. Made the nice feed cross-ice to Johnson for his breakaway goal, and had some nice passes. After that, there were some struggles. He was put in a weird spot behind the net on the power play and had a tough turnover at his own blue line that led to a chance the other way.

Bowen Byram – A+

That’s one way to start the season. Even before his goal, you could tell he looked ready to go. The goal was a perfect read, as he had just jumped on the ice and knew that he was lost in coverage. Another great read on the Kadri goal as well to jump in. I loved his composure with the puck in the defensive end on the breakout and played Patrick Kane perfectly a few times.

J.T. Compher – B-

Absolutely no finish to his game, but last year, his biggest problem was that he was getting zero chances offensively. There were stretches where he wouldn’t even attempt a shot on net for multiple games. Tonight he took 10 shots. Some of them were force-fed on the powerplay and he’ll need to finish some of those, but his biggest issue was penalties, which he had in the preseason as well.

Samuel Girard – C+

He really does not like DeBrincat, does he? Ran that poor dude into the boards again. Guess he’s happy he’s back in the division. Got the puck poked away from him pretty easily for a Dach breakaway and had a moment of miscommunication with Kuemper, which should be expected with a new goalie. Super high event game from him at both ends of the ice.

Darren Helm – B-

A solid, if unspectacular debut for Helm. He and O’Connor created some icings just with their forechecking, which is something you’ll absolutely take from a fourth line. Took a massive clean hit in the second but seemed fine in the third period.

Erik Johnson – A

Picked up an assist, and other than a flubbed clear in the second period on the penalty kill, I really didn’t notice him a whole lot. And to be honest, if that’s what you get from EJ all year long, you 100% take it. This team has enough horses on the back end that he can just be a steady presence for them. He was the perfect partner for Byram and dominated the shot share numbers.

Jack Johnson – B+

I don’t like him a lot on the penalty kill and they sure did use him there, but at even strength, he was really strong. Had a few big hits in different spots of the ice, and how could you not love the breakaway goal? Somebody made a lot of money if they picked him to score the season-opening goal.

Tyson Jost – C

The line itself looked like a line that was just tossed together out of a hope and a prayer, and outside of one shift in the first period, didn’t do much. Jost did draw a penalty in the second period but also got away with some pretty blatant interference just a few moments prior. That’s ok, though, because what made Jost so effective the last half of the season last year was being a pest.

Nazem Kadri – A

About as good a debut back for Kadri as you could have expected. It helps being put between two great wingers, but anything to get the confidence back, as he struggled offensively before his suspension last season. My only gripe right now is that the team has not figured out what to do with him on the powerplay since they took him off the first unit.

Darcy Kuemper – A-

That is a big boy in net, not something we’re used to seeing in Colorado. Dach’s first breakaway, there was some luck involved, as he flubbed his shot, but the second one, the guy had nothing to shoot at. Kuemper was outside of his crease and given his size, gives you absolutely nothing. You could tell he felt better as the night went on and as he started to face more shots to get into the game.

Gabriel Landeskog – A-

I didn’t like the decision on the hit late in the game, just because of the game situation, but loved everything else about his game. He was feisty, responsible, and his usual steady self all over the ice.

Cale Makar – C

Looked like a guy who didn’t get a preseason game in and needed to shake off some rust. Even then, you saw the flashes, including the big hit in the first period and the crossbar in the second. He’ll get better.

Jayson Megna – C

Really didn’t notice him a ton, other than Dach beating him pretty badly on his second breakaway. A surprise that he got the callup over Maltsev, who was the last cut.

Ryan Murray – C-

This will be interesting to watch. Murray was pretty underwhelming and wasn’t on the top penalty-killing unit like I expected. Jack Johnson played a lot more than him and was used situationally a little more too, so think there is going to be a battle here when Toews gets healthy.

Alex Newhook – D

Avs look like they really aren’t sure what to do with Newhook at this point. He didn’t have a great preseason and hasn’t really flashed much offensively since the start of training camp. They’re playing him on the wing, and I’m not sure how comfortable he is there. He was probably the weakest player up front, and the one time he got the puck in his spot on the powerplay, he turned it over. Doesn’t look super confident right now.

Valeri Nichushkin – B+

Typical Nuke game. Great all over the ice, creating a ton of chances, but just can’t finish. Hopefully his wrist is okay. He came back and played but they also cut to him in the third period and he still looked to be in pain.

Logan O’Connor – B+

Easily the best player in the bottom six. Was physical, created a few chances with his skating, and has a clear understanding of what his role is and why he’s in the NHL. Good start for him.

Sampo Ranta – C

He was just fine. He sure likes to hold onto the puck rather than distribute in the offensive zone and teams will figure that out, but obvious why the Avs think they can mold him into a real solid player. Guy is an absolute tank too. A few times the Hawks defenders tried to stand him up and just bounced right off.

Mikko Rantanen – C+

Moose had his flashes, but not the dominant performance I expected with MacKinnon out, especially after a dominant preseason. He got a little too fancy at times, which led to some turnovers but also created his fair share of chances.