Avs Game 18 Grades: In Werner we trust

Erik Johnson – D

Every time EJ would make a strong defensive play, he would put it in someone’s skates, miss a pass completely, or turn it over. He made a brutal turnover up the middle in the second period to Patrik Laine and was bailed out by…checks notes…Adam Werner?

Cale Makar – A+

How do you explain it at this point? He’s a freak of nature. Another goal and he completely froze the defender to create space for himself. Not long after, he set up Matt Nieto for a top-notch chance in front. The thing that is going under the radar at this point is how much he’s progressing defensively. He looks incredible.

Matt Calvert – A

Matt Calvert is on pace for 54 points. You could have never have predicted that. His one touch back to MacKinnon on the second goal of the night was perfect, and his chip out on the third goal was huge. He was even blocking shots late in the game, earning that “A” that was on his sweater in this one.

Jayson Megna – C

Megna came in and showed some speed early on in this one, and did well in his limited minutes. When the Avs got up, it allowed them to give that fourth line a little bit more ice time so he benefited there.

Valeri Nichushkin – B+

Another strong game without a goal and that’s fine. He did have a chance early in the game that got blocked by the Jets defender. He continues to work hard and has been a menace on the forecheck.

Tyson Jost – B-

I thought Jost was solid overall, back at center again. He once again got hammered in the face-off circle, and he had a really rough turnover at the defensive blue line in the second period, but beyond that played well. He did get cut up pretty bad at the end so hopefully he’s good to go on Thursday.

Ryan Graves – B-

Graves was a wild man last game, and toned it down big time in this one, eliminating some of the turnovers he had against Columbus. He did kill a couple of plays in the offensive zone but was good in his own end and on the PK.

Ian Cole – D

What is up with Cole and this soft pass up the middle on his backhand? It worked once last game but has been a bit of a disaster for the most part. He had one of them go straight to a Jets player in the second period and Werner had to bail him out, then iced it moments later.  Took another penalty, but managed to pick up yet another secondary assist in this one.

Nathan MacKinnon – A+

The superstar center put the team on his back, and in the third period, he put his skate on the Jets throats, scoring just seconds into the second period and killing any momentum the Jets may have had. He took off like a gazelle-person on his second goal of the game and the Jets never had a shot at catching him.

T.J. Tynan – C+

The fourth line had some good moments early in the game but kind of disappeared as the game went on. That’s fine though, as they didn’t do anything to hurt the team. Tynan is a buzzsaw out there and is always moving his feet.

J.T. Compher – C

From my eyes, Compher didn’t do a ton offensively, finishing the evening with zero shots on goal despite a good chunk of ice time. He’s got a great shot so when he’s not using it or getting it on net, it’s a little disappointing. I have liked his work on the penalty kill overall.

Mark Barberio – D

I think he forgot to get his skates sharpened before this one. He fell over at least three times with no one around him in this one. He had his usual “uh oh” moments followed up by some strong play. The penalties definitely have to stop, as he’s already got four minor penalties in his seven games.

Samuel Girard – B

Girard set the tone for himself on the opening shift with some nice work maneuvering around some forecheckers to get the puck deep. That’s when he’s at his best and that’s how he helps this team. His shot struggled to get through in this one but I liked him defensively.

Joonas Donskoi – A+

Donny went to work to start the third period, being a complete menace on the forecheck and helping keep the Jets hemmed in just prior to MacKinnon’s goal. He managed to pick up the easiest assist of his career on MacKinnon’s second goal, and a good chunk of his goals sure have come from just in front of the net.

Vladislav Kamenev – C

Kamenev looked like he was playing it safe big time in this one, not wanting to get in too deep on the forecheck, as his linemates did a lot of that forechecking and Kamenev stayed up high. He won four his five face-offs in this one, and that’s how he can help this team.

Matt Nieto – C+

I liked Nieto on the penalty kill but he had some tough turnovers at the defensive blueline that I wasn’t a big fan of at even strength. A quiter game for him, and he was just off on some of his passes.

Nazem Kadri – C

Kadri picked up another assist, so he continues to produce, although this one was a little late. It would be nice to see a little bit more from him at even strength overall, but he’s also playing with line mates that no one anticipated due to the injuries. Although he keeps producing, it still seems like there is more to give.

Andre Burakovsky – C

For me, he was a little up and down tonight. He had some neutral zone turnovers but also managed to pick a few off to take the other way. Overall I would say with him, any night he ends with zero shots on net is probably not his best one overall.

Adam Werner – A+

I talked to him after practice on Monday and he said he’s always prepared to go in if he’s needed. He sure looked prepared. What a debut overall. Laine, one of the best shooters in the league, couldn’t get one past him, despite trying several different ways, going blocker, glove, low, everywhere. That’s when you know you’re on your game. He looked extremely calm in net and that’s a good quality to have as a net minder. Look for a big story on him on DNVR tomorrow just about his transition to North America.