Avs Game 15 Grades: Split

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – B-

The fourth line was okay, probably their most consistent line from the standpoint of keeping things away from their own net. Didn’t notice anything spectacular from him in any way, but it should be noted he still has yet to pick up a point this year. I didn’t expect the production from last year but would be nice to get something.

Andre Burakovsky – D

Just looks completely out of it and confidence may not be there right now. Plays were dying on his stick in the first period, and I’m glad Bednar pulled the plug almost immediately in the second period. No points in his last six games.

Bowen Byram – C

The own goal was unfortunate, and not like Byram was really in a bad spot or anything, just the rebound bounced right to him. Not a great game, but I didn’t think he struggled as much as he did in the final two periods of the outdoor game. I liked the fight he showed at the end. Nice to see that carry over from Juniors.

Matt Calvert – B-

He only knows one way to play and that’s with pure tenacity. It’s unfortunate that it will always be in the back of our minds worrying about his health but he obviously is going to play the style that got him this far. Maybe Reaves isn’t the guy I’d go after, though.

J.T. Compher – F

We’re beating a dead horse here, but at what point do you give him a night off to try to spark him? Low man in ice time at even strength and the only forward to not even attempt a shot on net. We’ve said that quite a lot this year.

Joonas Donskoi – B

To me, he was the one forward who seemed to have his legs going most of the night, using his skating to create some chances. He got moved around a good bit towards the end of the game but I was pretty happy overall.

Samuel Girard – D

When Girard struggles with the puck, it’s almost surprising, because he’s so good and consistent, but tonight wasn’t his night. Vegas really seemed to do their pre-scouting on him and knew what was coming.

Ryan Graves – C-

I know everyone wants to get mad at Graves for the first goal, but that breakdown started in the neutral zone, and if two forwards are able to enter the zone at that speed against a defender whose backing in, that defenseman is screwed. Even then, not super happy with his game overall, and had some troubles with the puck early.

Philipp Grubauer – C

Grubi was solid in the first period, and can’t pin too much on him with the first two goals. It’s rare this year, but that third goal is probably one he should have had. That’s a good sign, however, that we’re just not saying that very much.

Tyson Jost – D

Been super happy with Jost most of the year defensively, but it’s getting harder and harder to ignore the fact that he still doesn’t have a goal, and only has one assist on the season. When the top line struggles, the lack of depth scoring becomes even more obvious.

Nazem Kadri – C

Yeah, he probably should have one-timed the shot at the end of the first where Fleury robbed him, but we know Kadri likes to corral the puck before he shoots. He also had a great chance at the start of the second to give the Avs a lead. At least he was getting his chances.

Gabriel Landeskog – B-

Controversial perhaps, but I liked Landeskog in this one. When he’s shooting, you know he’s got a bit of jump to his game, and he led the team with seven shot attempts at even strength.

Nathan MacKinnon – C-

You could tell the Vegas forwards knew they needed to pay extra attention to MacKinnon in the neutral zone and on the back check and not let him get so much time and space. MacK looked a little frustrated because of that. It seemed like the puck was rolling off his stick a good bit, particularly on the one power play chance the Avs had.

Cale Makar – D

While he was technically beat on the second goal by Tuch, it wasn’t that bad because he still kept him to the outside. The third goal was a weird one. I don’t know what happened at the bench with Makar being unable to get off, but either way, probably not the best time to change when the opposing team has it.

Valeri Nichushkin – D

I said it on the podcast, but what good is being 6’5″ or whatever if you don’t play like it. At one point, he got outmuscled by Chandler Stephenson for the puck. That should never happen.

Mikko Rantanen – F

Tonight was truly a bad one for Mikko. Everything he seemed like he wanted to do just didn’t work out, and the few times he tried to use his body, he’d lose the puck. Need him to get back that shooting mentality.

Brandon Saad – C

Good shot share numbers for Saad, but I’ll be honest and say I barely noticed him all night. Maybe not the best thing, but didn’t see anything egregious defensively.

Conor Timmins – C-

I feel like I jinxed him because I actually liked his first period. It wasn’t perfect, but he was being aggressive and jumping into the play, which he hasn’t done lately. Then he had a disastrous first shift of the second period that turned the game around in a bad way. Just no consistency and I know they want him to play through his mistakes, but he’s also barely playing.

Devon Toews – C-

Turned superhuman at times in the third period jumping into the play, including a great shorthanded chance, but for most of the night got crushed in shot share. He got the best of Mark Stone on Saturday, but Stone won that battle tonight.