Avs Game 14 Grades: Ending on a whimper

Andrew Cogliano – B-

Another perfectly fine game and another game where he heads to the bench looking like he might be hurt, only to be completely fine. That line is grinding away but the skill to finish just isn’t always going to be there. Nice drop to Kaut on the penalty kill for a good chance.

J.T. Compher – C+

Much of the same just like Cogliano. Managed to get some chances himself, which you need to see more of at this stage in the season, but pretty limited in what he can do overall. The only center that took a beating in the face-off circle.

Andreas England – B

I had pretty low expectations and he certainly surpassed them. His first shift, he was battling in front of the Blues net trying to get a rebound, so he knew how the Avs play. The fact that he played 10 minutes when guys like MacDermid sometimes don’t even hit that shows that the staff didn’t have much of an issue with him.

Alexander Georgiev – C

It was a perfectly fine game, but three straight goals in less than 10 minutes of playtime was a killer, with the ultimate killer being that second goal. It hit Makar’s stick but a goal like that really stings.

Dryden Hunt – B–

The fact that the guy had three glorious scoring chances says a lot about putting yourself in the right spots, but at some point, you have to finish, and two of them were pretty empty nets. Beyond that, he played quite well for what you can expect from the guy. A game’s result coming down to Hunt’s ability to finish plays is all you need to know about the current situation with the Avs forward group.

Erik Johnson – B–

A lot of shots on net from EJ, and a lot of them just heading right into Binnington’s glove hand a little too easily. You can tell that with some of the guys missing on the back end, he’s pushing a bit more offensively.

Martin Kaut – C+

Had some looks this game, and missed the net on a good look from MacKinnon in the first period. Left the game briefly in the third period but came back to tip the puck to Hunt in front for a wide-open chance. Getting his chance but needs more consistency shift to shift. Certainly not alone with that. Like that he’s getting some PK looks.

Artturi Lehkonen – C+

Great shot on his goal, and hopefully, more than his prior goals, that’s the one that gets him going. The other ones were pretty open looks where he didn’t have to do a ton. This one he had to label. He’s missed some glorious chances this year and they need more fin(n)ish.

Jacob MacDonald – D

The one defenseman who got really beat down in the metrics, spending a good portion of time in his own end. 22 shot attempts against in only 12:25 is way too high event, and unlike the rest of the team, that high-event hockey wasn’t happening at the other end of the ice.

Nathan MacKinnon – B-

Look, he had about six zone entry drops to Rantanen that could have led to a lot more than they did, but at least one of them converted. His speed just backs everyone up. Unfortunately, he let up for half a second and it really cost the team, because the Thomas goal really changed the momentum of this game. Top guys looked tired at the end, as those one-timers didn’t have a ton of steam on them.

Cale Makar – C+

Two assists, but out there for all the goals against. With the rest of the defense beat up, it can’t be the top pair that’s bleeding goals against. Everyone pointing to Makar not shooting at the empty net at the end of the game, but I can see why he didn’t, because that pass didn’t really hit him in a shooting position. He’s a freak and probably could have pulled it off though.

Josh Manson – C-

Drew the penalty late in the game to give the Avs a real chance to tie things up, but continue to be underwhelmed by what he’s doing in the defensive zone. His zone exits have been really hit-and-miss.

Jayson Megna – B–

This completely makeshift fourth line has come in and done all the Avs need them to do, which is spend more time in the other end than their own. Won the face-off clean on the chance with Hunt missing an empty net.

Alex Newhook – F

Another zero shot attempt game, but the shift that got him benched was an absolute nightmare. Multiple turnovers, both in the offensive and defensive zone, which got him stuck out there way too long. I don’t understand throwing him out at the end to tie the game up, because he comes in completely cold.

Logan O’Connor – B–

How much more can you realistically ask from the guy? He was in a bit of no man’s land on the eventual game-winning goal, but some good forechecking in the offensive zone and just couldn’t get the finish.

Sampo Ranta – INC

He barely played but I’m more encouraged by his play this year than last. Maybe because he’s not spending much time in his own end to expose the flaws, but he’s been hard and physical and throws it at the net any chance he can.

Mikko Rantanen – B+

The type of goal he’s more than capable of scoring with his shot. He had multiple chances to let it rip on similar plays but tried to make more difficult plays. The no-look pass to Lehkonen was just showing off.

Evan Rodrigues – B-

He’s doing what he can to be the second-line center with, uh, less-than-ideal line mates. Nearly had a nice wrap-around goal but the Blues defender got their leg down to block it. He is driving offense at even strength as much as he can.

Devon Toews – C-

Talked about O’Connor being caught in no man’s land on the game-winning goal, but Toews really was. That’s a tough spot to be in because Kyrou is flying in with speed and Toews is stuck standing still. No time to react there, but the Avs weren’t ready for that one right off the rip in the third.