Avs Game 10 Grades - Hurricanes Dominate the Avs

The Avs were not able to carry over any momentum from an important win the night before, as they fell to the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2.  Although the score ended up being close, Carolina controlled the majority of the play throughout the game at even strength and limited the Avs chances.

How did each player perform?  Let’s find out…

Tyson Barrie (D) – Barrie had been looking great since returning from suspension, but tonight he was way off his game.  The Avs had control of the puck in the offensive zone in the 3rd period, when Barrie turned it over, creating an odd man rush the other way for Carolina.  Soon after, Carolina scored to make the game 3-1 and the Avs were never able to recover.  The puck was bouncing off Barrie’s stick all night long.

Francois Beauchemin (C) – Beauchemin has been placed on the top power play unit the last two games and looks out of place in that spot.  The Avs had a 5 on 3 for 30 seconds in the first period, with an offensive zone faceoff.  Matt Duchene won the faceoff back to the point, and instead of using his glove to knock down a rolling puck, Beauchemin tried to just use his stick and didn’t come close to stopping it.  The puck went out of the zone, and killed the majority of the 5 on 3.  I think Beauchemin would look a lot better if his partner, Erik Johnson, was playing up to his capabilities.

Blake Comeau (C+) – Comeau was a little more noticeable tonight than he has been in previous games.  He was shooting the puck more and had some chances offensively.  I like his work on the PK so far this season and I imagine he’ll play a big role there all year.

Matt Duchene (D) – It’s past the point of where the Avs need Duchene to start producing, even if he is playing better.  His best chance of the game came in the third period, when he had a shot in the slot, but as he seems to do too often, he aimed for the high corner and missed the net completely.

Dennis Everberg (B-) – He’s getting a little better each game.  Tonight, he saw a little bit of PK time, which is a role he’s more than capable of filling, and got his body in the way of a few shots.  One thing that is easy to like about his game is his willingness to go to the net, and he did that on more than a few occasions tonight.

Brandon Gormley (C+) – Gormley did not see a lot of ice time, playing only a little over 11 minutes, but he was solid, if unspectacular.  His breakout pass sprung Nathan MacKinnon for the Avs first goal of the game.  He did take a slashing penalty in the second, but it was one where the Carolina players stick broke, and those are more or less automatic.  After the game, Roy said Gormley played “OK” and that both he and Zadorov are projects that the team is trying to work with.

Mikhail Grigorenko (B) – At some point, Roy is going to have to give him a bigger role to work with.  He shows patience and skill with the puck that a lot of Avs forwards just don’t have right now.  He managed to pick up an assist by taking a Nathan MacKinnon shot off the butt and having it bounce right to Alex Tanguay.  Good things happen when you go to the net.

Nick Holden (D) – Holden had a rough night, and his physical game has gone missing.  He got beat badly on the first Carolina goal, as he let Victor Rask drive him back into Varlamov, and he didn’t do enough to take away his stick.  If Barrie is not going, then Holden is not good enough to carry that pairing, which was evident tonight.

Jarome Iginla (C-) – Iggy had a very quiet evening, despite racking up 4 shots on net.  He really was not all that noticeable, and that line, in general, took a step back from their big game just a night before.

Erik Johnson (C-) – EJ is passing up far too many shot opportunities on the power play than he should be.  He has the biggest shot on the team and he’s not using it at the moment, even though both of his goals this year are off bombs from the point.  With the power play struggling as much as it is, everything should be going towards the net.  His skating did look a little better tonight.

Gabriel Landeskog (F) – The Captain is a disaster right now, and Duchene’s lack of scoring is kind of hiding it from a lot of people.  He took yet another offensive zone penalty in the third period, and looks visibly frustrated.  He also looks to be in a lot of pain whenever they show him at the bench.  He hurt his shoulder at the end of preseason and it may still be an issue.  He did have a nice chance in the first period off a great forecheck, but he missed the net completely.

Nathan MacKinnon (B) – MacKinnon is about the only consistent thing the offense has had going this year.  He picked up another assist tonight, as his speed backed off the defense, allowing him to pull up and put the puck towards the net, where it deflected to Tanguay for an easy goal.  He had another nice game in the faceoff circle as well.

Cody McLeod (B) – A much better game for McLeod, and the type of game he needs to play.  I wish he used his linemates better, but given how straight forward his game is, that may be asking too much from him.

John Mitchell (D) – A really lazy penalty in the neutral zone by Mitchell is what allowed the Hurricanes to take the lead in the second period.  He’s now pointless in his last 6 games and hasn’t been nearly as effective.

Jack Skille (D) – Bless his soul for trying, but it’s obvious Skille was not made to be in any teams top 6, or even top 9.  He works his butt off, but he’s not skilled or smart enough to play up there.  He was put back on the 4th line in the third period and that’s where he should stay.

Carl Soderberg (B+) – For the second time in three games, I thought he was the best forward for the Avs.  I really wish the rest of the team would look at how patient Soderberg is with the puck, and how he never wants to just throw the puck away.  Instead, he looks to find teammates and have his team keep possession of the puck.  He finished the game playing wing with Landeskog and Duchene, and after the game, Roy made it seem like it’s something we’ll see again on Sunday.  Hopefully the late goal by him gives him some more offensive confidence.

Alex Tanguay (B-) – He wasn’t as strong as he was last night, but Tanguay had another good game, and was able to pot another goal.  He needs to play a lot more like he has the last two games, because the Avs wing depth is not very strong.

Semyon Varlamov (B) – Varly didn’t get much help on the first goal, and appeared to have to deal with major screens on both the second and third goals by Carolina.  The Avs have a lot of games coming up so Berra will see time, but as long as he’s playing well, Roy needs to keep going back to Varly.

Nikita Zadorov (C) – As mentioned earlier, Roy called Zadorov a “project” after the game, and you’ll see the ups and down in his game.  After all, he’s only 20.  Tonight, he played his off-side on defense for the first time this year.  He was floating a bit too much in the defensive zone, and it seems like someone on the coaching staff may be trying to control his game a bit, as he hasn’t been nearly as physical the last few games.  I do like his breakout passes, even if the Avs breakout system is kind of a mess.

The Avs return home to faceoff against the San Jose Sharks on Sunday afternoon.  The game starts at 1 PM MST.