Avs Game 14 Grades: This is the bad place

Erik Johnson – C

I thought EJ was moving a lot better tonight, especially in the offensive zone. Nothing really came of it but it was nice to see. He did take a penalty in the second period after some nice stick handling work but I’m not sure if it was EJ who tripped the guy or the ref.

Cale Makar – D

It’s weird, for a guy as talented as Makar is, it feels like the puck doesn’t cooperate with him a ton, and he had some risky turnovers in this one in his own end that led to some chances. He did have some chances offensively, including a rush up the ice on the power play, but a sloppier night with the puck.

Matt Calvert – A

It’s not every night that Calvert is going to end up with eight shot attempts, but that’s what happened in this one. He was the best player on the ice for the Avs and created havoc every shift, even drawing two penalties.

Jayson Megna – C

Megna played more tonight, and actually had a good shift that I can remember in the second period on the cycle. There’s nothing exciting about bringing up an AHL journeyman to play these minutes, so it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to see a prospect play there and get a taste of the NHL.

Valeri Nichushkin – D

The man who will never score actually had some good moments on the power play in the second period down low with some puck retrieval. He kind of just is another guy out there for this team who takes up space and doesn’t do a ton with his ice.

Nikita Zadorov – C

A step back in this one for Z from last night, but not a huge one. He ultimately was fine overall and tried to get chippy when the Avs were down to create some energy for his team but nothing was working tonight.

Tyson Jost – C-

I really did not like Jost’s game for most of this night. The Avs were shifting around lines all night so I don’t even know how you create chemistry with anyone like that. He had a nice shift in the third where he tried to power to the net a few times but was unable to beat Kuemper.

Ryan Graves – D+

I think one thing Graves has got to work on is getting that shot on net. He’s got a bomb but it’s kind of all over the place. He had some iffy moments in this one and was pretty far and away the worst possession defender for the Avs.

Ian Cole – D-

Just a brutal weekend overall for Cole. Another rough one tonight where he lost positioning on the opening goal and failed to cover up the seam on the third goal (although he needed some forward help too). The play in the first where he just blew an edge and fell over, leading to a breakaway was bizarre.

Nathan MacKinnon – C

I think MacK doesn’t have a ton of faith in his linemates right now and is trying to do it all by himself. The point streak ended, but that was bound to happen. He’s going to get his chances overall but at times it feels like he’s shooting from some poor locations because he doesn’t trust who he’s playing with.

J.T. Compher – D

This one was rough for Compher, who couldn’t seem to hold onto the puck when it would end up on his stick. He hasn’t scored a goal since opening night, so he may be holding the stick a little tight at the moment.

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – B

Bellemare drew a penalty in the second period after a hard-working shift where he was forechecking like a maniac. Another workmanlike game from him and certainly the least of the Avs concerns at the moment.

Samuel Girard – C-

I didn’t like Girard not sticking with Kessel on the second goal, as he instead decided to attack the passer behind the net, who was already covered by EJ. Other than that, he didn’t do anything to stand out in a bad or good way.

Joonas Donskoi – D

This weekend has kind of showcased Donskoi’s limitations, as he’s overhanded the puck a little too much and it’s taken away from some chances. A penalty in the offensive zone is never a good thing, and that penalty ended up costing the Avs on the first goal of the game.

Vladislav Kamenev – D

The only forward that didn’t register a shot on net. He did have a nice move off the wall in the third where he attacked but missed the net high. Other than that, a pretty forgettable night.

Matt Nieto – B

That line was the only passable line on the team, and it got Nieto a promotion to the top line after the first period. As you would expect, he missed some great chances playing with skilled guys, so it’s best to keep him with his fourth line buddies.

Nazem Kadri – C-

It kind of feels like Kadri went rogue a little bit in this one. He got focused on some things that aren’t as important and started to freewheel a little too much, trying to do everything himself. He doesn’t need to be fighting and that’s now two fights in the last three games.

Andre Burakovsky – D

Starting to get a little concerned about Burakovsky reverting back to the guy who couldn’t find any rhythm in Washington. He’s gone cold offensively, and is looking less confident, as evidenced by him not one-timing a great chance in the second, but instead corralling the puck, giving the goalie time to get over and get set. With their top wingers out, the Avs just need more from him offensively.

Pavel Francouz – B-

Any time a goal goes in from a poor angle, it’s not a good look. He got bombarded with shots in the first period and held it down the best he could, but that second goal was rough. Other than that, he was fine, and the sloppy defense in front of him didn’t help.