Avs Game 15 Grades: Thanks, Frankie

Anton Blidh – D

The penalty call on him seemed a little…weak. But if you put your stick there and a scoring chance occurs because of it, it’ll likely get called. Got completely caved in.

Andrew Cogliano – C-

First game in what seems like weeks where he didn’t get taken out by the opposing team. That being said, that line got absolutely demolished, and Cogliano was not on the ice for a single shot on net by the Avs at even strength. Good game on the PK, though.

J.T. Compher – C

Got crushed at even strength, but great play in overtime to win a battle in his own end and then go down and run a perfect three-on-two.

Andreas Englund – F

Ugly from the start, with turnovers right from the get-go, and everything came to a head with that weird second goal where he just ran straight into Francouz. It was made extra worse by him just getting beat again in front of the net.

Pavel Francouz – A+

The only reason they won the game and it’s not close. Great from the drop of the puck, with big saves at even strength and especially on the power play on Aho in the first period. They had no reason even being in this game.

Dryden Hunt – C

He hit some people and somehow managed to not get completely caved in, even though his linemates did. Acceptable.

Erik Johnson – D

Had a really rough first period with turnovers in his end due to the pressure of the Hurricanes on the forecheck. It didn’t get much better after that in terms of time spent in his end, but the turnovers seemed to be limited.

Martin Kaut – C

One of the few guys who had a little jump. Had a nice shot block in the first period, a big hit, and a decent look in the second period, as well a big play in the defensive zone. Not a perfect night but you take it.

Artturi Lehkonen – C+

Big time shot on the game-winning goal, and a nice stick on the early Rodrigues goal to tip it right to him. Also had a good look on a rebound in the second period that was stopped by Raanta.

Jacob MacDonald – C

It’s crazy how little he played, considering the team could not move the puck out of their own, and he’s one guy who will at least skate it a little bit. Hard to win playing two defensemen as little as they did, but they did it.

Nathan MacKinnon – D

Had no time and space to do anything. He and Jordan Staal have really gotten into it this week with some big-time battles, but Staal played him really hard with the help of Slavin on the back end. Even on the powerplay, the Canes played him tight, taking the puck away from him on the first powerplay for a breakaway.

Cale Makar – D+

Left the game looking a little rough not just once, but twice, and the first one happened after he threw a reverse hit on a Canes forward. Didn’t have his best night, but knowing he was one of two defensemen playing who could move the puck, the Canes gave him no time.

Josh Manson – D+

Had an awful night moving the puck, with turnovers all over the place and then goes and makes a beautiful pass to Newhook to spring him for his breakaway goal.

Jayson Megna – INC

With Blidh, the penalty was noticeable. With Hunt, you could see some physical play. With Megna, I just didn’t even know he played.

Alex Newhook – C–

Huge goal, not just for the game, but also hopefully for his confidence. The penalty late in the game was rough, luckily the team bailed him out. Took a massive hit in the first period and another big one in the third, but you have to play through that sometimes. Kind of lost in no man’s land on the Aho goal.

Logan O’Connor – C

Great first period with some really noticeable breakups on the penalty kill. Not much of a spark the rest of the night.

Mikko Rantanen – D

Passed up his best look of the night in the second period by trying to force a pass across the crease to Rodrigues. If he had let rip a one-timer, he might have been able to score. Quiet night beyond that.

Evan Rodrigues – C

Nice goal, and a tough shot to get off in traffic. Lost the face-off on the first Canes goal, but managed to win the one on the Newhook goal. Had a pretty quiet night himself at even strength with no shot attempts. Far from alone with that.

Devon Toews – D

Really was smothered by the forecheck, as there was a lot more D to D back and forth by him and Makar than you usually see because they didn’t have any clean outs.