Avs Game 18 Grades: Another blowout win

Nicolas Aube-Kubel – B

NAK has fit in almost perfectly. The problems with penalties still exist and he’s probably not long for a top-nine role in Colorado but if he can translate his level of play to the fourth line when the Avs get healthy at forward next week, he raises the floor quite a bit. His play tonight is a good reminder of that fact as he recorded his third point in just his sixth Avalanche game.

Bowen Byram – A+

Look. It’s easy to get hyped on the shiny new rookie in town. Like, really easy. Byram, though, is in a weird spot. Is he transcendent like Makar was or merely just great? The comparisons to Makar are unfair because that was a historic rookie season, but Byram has been nothing short of awesome this year. That he’s forcing his way into big minutes on a Cup contender should give him extra points in a Calder race, not be held against him. His comeback from a concussion tonight was outstanding. He could’ve been the guy with the hat trick as well as he played and as aggressively as he jumped into the offense.

Andre Burakovsky – C+

I didn’t love him again as those soft tendencies in his game continue to really drive me nuts but he was also thisclose to finally beating a goalie with a vintage Burakovsky goal where he just picked a spot and beat a goalie cleanly. It’s been a while (his recent two-goal game was as mucky as Burky gets) and he could use a reminder of his superpower. Just an okay game tonight.

Samuel Girard – C

I’m really struggling with Girard’s game this season and tonight was another example why. He’s losing the kinds of battles defensively he hasn’t lost in the past and that’s what separated him from average players. His offensive game isn’t as good but the truth is that side of his game has always come and gone. You know it’ll be back soon, but his defense has to be steady for him to maintain his value. I didn’t love his individual work nearly as much tonight.

Darren Helm – C+

The PK was good and nothing bad happened with him out there. That feels like a win.

Jonas Johansson – B+

Tough second goal to give up but if Matt Duchene doesn’t score a meaningless one in Ball Arena while his team is getting waxed, does the game even count? Johansson was rock solid in relief once again. He’s likely headed back to Loveland pretty soon but he’s done a solid job filling in during Pavel Francouz’s absence and has played well enough the Avs should (finally) not be messing around with the trade market come deadline time (unless Kuemper keeps struggling, I suppose).

Erik Johnson – B-

There were things about his game I found frustrating. Some of his reversals with the puck and reloads in his own zone ended up buying time for the Preds to get fresh attackers on and then he skated himself into trouble. Mostly, his game was solid and sound. I’m fine with the overall night from EJ. Got an assist for his troubles, so hey!

Tyson Jost – C+

Weird night for Jost. I thought his process was a real problem and his lack of desire to shoot when not in transition left some opportunities on the ice. Of course, he finished with a goal and drew a penalty with old-fashioned hard work. He’s usually the opposite where I love his process but he doesn’t produce; tonight it was production but outside of the effort, I didn’t much like how he played. It all counts, though, so good for him for burying one.

Nazem Kadri – B

He finished with two assists but I thought the real stars were elsewhere. Good for him to keep tearing up the scoresheet.

Gabriel Landeskog – A+

I loved his game, I loved him defending his teammate, I loved him getting some points, I love that he’s on pace for a career year and nobody seems to know it (100-point pace what in the world), I love that he’s big mad a lot this year and isn’t taking any guff from peasants or bad asses like Mattias Ekholm. Avs versus the world.

Kurtis MacDermid – INC

He seemed to be the most excited guy in the building about Landeskog’s beating of Ekholm, but it was once again MacDermid being paid to be a tough customer and instead was mostly a tough spectator. Under six minutes of ice time and only one hit, I’m not sure there’s a player in the league given more credit by some people for actually doing nothing more than existing. That isn’t his fault, of course, just a thing I have noticed that I am fascinated by.

Cale Makar – A+

If Draisaitl and McDavid weren’t turning the league back to the Gretzky vs. Mario days up in Edmonton, I think the Makar for Hart conversation would be a lot louder. It might get that way anyway because I might just start shouting.

Jayson Megna – C

More ice time, more nothing bad happening. I have enjoyed him winning some footraces recently where he shows a surprising burst of speed and everyone collectively says “Whoa, that’s Megna!” but nothing actually comes of it. Those moments are fun.

Ryan Murray – INC

11 seconds of ice time. The Avs have yet to get through a single full period this season with their top defense intact. It’s spectacularly annoying. Let’s hope Murray isn’t out long-term.

Alex Newhook – C

He was really low-event tonight and that tracked with my eyes as I saw more missed opportunities than anything from Newhook. Not a bad night, but not one of his stronger efforts.

Valeri Nichushkin – A+

How do you not love everything this guy brings when his game is rounded into its best form? He’s always been a defensive monster but he’s starting to push offense at a pretty insane level and has added an extra dimension of finishing ability to his game. He’s such a linchpin to their success. More and more, he’s the guy I think that both gets overpaid but also the Avs just cannot let leave in free agency.

Logan O’Connor – B

Great PK work, less so at 5v5. Loved his motor and I love how much other teams don’t love him. That’s delightful.

Mikko Rantanen – A+

Superstar kind of night. I asked Bednar last night in Dallas if the Avs needed more from their moose in the middle on a night like that. He said yes, I tended to agree (thus the question, I suppose). I think tonight we’re both going to agree this was the fastball from Mikko.

Devon Toews – C+

Not one of his better overall efforts but still a solid night for him. His non-stop aggression pushing the pace is such a tone-setter for the Avalanche.