Avs Game 12 Grades: Shark hunting

Andre Burakovsky – B

I’ll never harp on Burakovsky when he’s shooting the puck, and that’s what he was doing in this one, leading the team with five shot attempts at even strength. He got a goal late after San Jose picked one up, but might change to Rantanen since it looks like it might have hit him.

J.T. Compher – INC

Another day, another player randomly disappearing. Hit the crossbar in the first period and then just left with an upper-body injury. Here we go again.

Samuel Girard – A+

Followed up a “He’s back” game with a “He’s definitely back” game. Great patience at the blue line to keep things alive before his feed to Newhook on the game-winner, and it just kept going all night. He’s once again moving confidently and playing with pace.

Darren Helm – B

I guess he and O’Connor are a pretty dangerous combo on the penalty kill, no? Sure makes sense with their speed but combining for shorties in back to back games is kind of wild. These injuries are not letting the Avs settle him into a pure fourth line role and that kind of stinks.

Erik Johnson – C+

Didn’t love his shot selection, entering the zone a few times and low, slow wristers to the pads were easy for Hill to control. Liked him on the penalty kill for the most part.

Jack Johnson – B

Really liked JJ. Apart from one of the funnier parts of the game where he randomly biffed it along the wall, he looked really solid. He was extra tough along the walls and that’s why he’s in there.

Tyson Jost – C+

Another solid game from Jost. Not driving any real play himself, as evidenced by the zero shot attempts, but just continued hard work. Tried to feed Newhook in the slot in the second period but Newhook didn’t really seem to be ready for it. Avs did get caved in pretty hard with Jost out there.

Nazem Kadri – A

It just continues. A three-point night and his goal was a thing of beauty. Just great work waiting out the goalie, to the point where Hill didn’t even have a shot. The staff sees he’s rolling too, as he led the forwards in time on ice.

Darcy Kuemper – B

The Sharks had a ton of shots early in the game, but only one from Nieto really seemed dangerous. Still, he had to be sharp because the Avs didn’t look ready to start the game. A pretty big difference from last game when he was just chilling back there.

Gabriel Landeskog – B-

An assist off the kneecap hurts, but only kind of for Gabe because he’s built differently. Wasn’t a huge fan of that line overall. They were trying to create but it wasn’t always working.

Cale Makar – B-

You could tell he was really wanting to break through and get on the scoresheet, but most of his point shots hit the guy directly in front of him. His rushes up the ice ended with him just losing the puck, so it’s not totally there. I do think, for the most part, his skating looks there.

Jayson Megna – B

Avs crushed it with Megna on the ice, but don’t really recall him doing a whole lot with the puck himself. He did pick up an assist on the Newhook goal. If you look at the numbers, he’s been a completely competent fourth-line center.

Ryan Murray – C+

There were times I really liked him; when he hit Girard with a nice pass on the backdoor, and then times where he’s passing to no one in the neutral zone and turning it over. It’s hard to get a good read on him really.

Alex Newhook – B+

His skating looks to be there compared to the preseason and the first game of the season when he wasn’t using his skating to his advantage. Nice to see him get a goal, and I still want to see him carry the puck a lot more, but it’s a process here.

Valeri Nichushkin – A

Picked up an assist on the Kadri goal with a great saucer pass, but he made multiple great passes to directly lead to great chances for the Avs. He hit Jack Johnson back door at one point, and a few others as well. Love the constant pressure from him.

Logan O’Connor – A

It’s just so wild that his scoring at the professional level is looking better than it did at the college ranks. That’s so rare, and yet it seems to be happening. He’s their best penalty killer and I’m not sure it’s close.

Mikko Rantanen – B-

Loved the creativity from Mikko at times, especially in the neutral zone, but it didn’t always work out. Hit the post pretty hard in the first period but didn’t get a whole lot going later in the game. I do think he will get a goal added to the scoresheet courtesy of his calf.

Kiefer Sherwood – C

He played. He didn’t do a whole lot, but he played. The Compher injury is likely to keep him in the lineup too, despite the Aube-Kubel pickup.

Devon Toews – B+

Just love watching this guy. His shots get through to the net, and he’s always involved in the play. Most importantly, he understands how this team needs to play, and that’s always pushing the play. He doesn’t hesitate to jump into rushes when the team is leading late in games. He’s the glue on that blue line.