Avs Game 18 Grades: Desert Sweep

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – B+

Nice to see Bellemare get on the board, even if it was an empty netter. They all count! This one probably felt better after the scary moment in the second period when he took a puck up high. He had a talking with the official in the third after returning, probably on what they were thinking letting play continue.

Andre Burakovsky – B+

Another strong game from Burky, which is now three in a row and hopefully he can find some consistency here moving forward. Picked up a few assists, including just being able to hand it off to MacKinnon while he does his thing.

Bowen Byram – B

Another strong performance from Byram, particularly defensively. He was strong on the puck in his end, and love his willingness to take a hit to make a pass.

J.T. Compher – B

Individually, not his most impressive performance, with only one shot attempt, but his line in general was real strong, and I liked a lot of what he did defensively. At 72%, I think it might be his best shot share performance on the season, and you’ll take that every day.

Joonas Donskoi – A

More production from Donskoi, who seems to just rack up points while no one is paying attention. The good thing tonight was that he was creating a lot of chances for himself, with five even strength attempts in less than 10 minutes of ice time.

Samuel Girard – A-

Getting such a big lead at the end of the game was essential to give him a little bit of rest, because he was on pace for almost 30 minutes after two periods. I think teams have caught on more to his spin move at the offensive blue line this year, but he’s still elusive as ever on the breakout, and that’s what created the Donskoi goal.

Ryan Graves – C+

His lack of offensive creativity in the offensive zone this year has been severely disappointing, as his only thought seems to be winding up and whipping it towards the net. Really tough pinch in the second period that led to an odd-man rush, something that has happened a little too much this year.

Philipp Grubauer – B+

He got some help from the post a few times, but when the Avs needed him to be strong, he was. Shame about that last goal, as Saad tipped it into his own net, but Grubi was real solid all evening long.

Tyson Jost – A

A lot of times this season, Jost has played great defensively but not really created much of anything offensively. Tonight was a little different, as he had quite a few good chances in close but just wasn’t able to bury them. Happy to see him get on the board late.

Nazem Kadri – C

Coming off one of his best games of the year, felt like Kadri took a little bit of a step back overhandling the puck a little bit and turning it over a few times. Avs got plenty of secondary help beyond him though.

Gabriel Landeskog – A

I have to imagine it’s awesome for a Swede to tie a legend like Peter Forsberg in goals for an organization, but Landeskog was quite chill, as he usually is, in the postgame when asked about it. He was due for one tonight, as he fired eight shots at the Coyotes net.

Jacob MacDonald – A

It’s so rare for a defenseman to come up and just go for it, and even though he’s wild at times, you have to admire how MacDonald has played this year. Great to see him pick up a goal, and doing it by following up his own shot. Going to be hard to take him out of the lineup.

Nathan MacKinnon – A

The Avs didn’t really have it going in the first period and were creating nothing. Then…MacKinnon happened. Good lord, what a release. That’s what a superstar can do, and the Coyotes don’t have one. He tried to get plenty more in this game, but was unable to, including a dominating shift in the third period.

Valeri Nichushkin – C+

Really rough turnover on the Coyotes’ first goal and he knew it after it left his stick. Made up for it on the Donskoi goal, showing some nice patience and vision.

Logan O’Connor – B+

The O’Connor the Avs got tonight is what you would love to see every game, but consistency is the hardest thing for young players. He was hard on the puck, using his speed, and creating some chances just by hard work.

Mikko Rantanen – B+

Mikko looked really rough early in this game, turning it over multiple times trying to create some chances off the rush. After that, he got things going and ended the game with a few assists of his own. Hit the crossbar in the second as well.

Dan Renouf – C

You could have told me that Dan Renouf played in this game, and I wouldn’t believe you. I guess that’s not a bad thing for a defenseman, so you take it.

Brandon Saad – B-

The own goal is pretty unfortunate because he’s doing exactly what he should be doing, following his defenseman in from the point and trying to break up the pass, but it is what it is. Four shot attempts of his own towards Raanta.

Devon Toews – A

His stick on the penalty kill is incredible, and he was frustrating Kessel, who was having a hard time getting the puck past him. Love that they’ve basically moved to playing him with Byram, as he kind of calms everything down on his own.