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Avs Game 18 Grades - Special Teams Nightmare

Evan Rawal Avatar
November 18, 2015

The Avalanche played relatively well, but gave up 1 shorthanded goal and 4 power play goals to the Toronto Maple Leafs, en route to a 5-1 loss.

How did each player perform?  Let’s find out…

Tyson Barrie (C-) – Barrie tied for the Avs lead in shots on goal with 5, but didn’t have a great night otherwise.  He made some poor decisions on some power play zone entries and looked lost defensively on the first goal of the game.

Francois Beauchemin (F) – I think it’s pretty safe to say that was Beauchemin’s worst game of the year.  He had some horrendous giveaways in the first period, was too aggressive on the penalty kill, and took a high sticking penalty in the third that allowed the Leafs to seal the game away.

Reto Berra (C) – It’s hard to blame Berra for any of the power play goals the Leafs scored, but at some point, you do need a save from your goalie.  Roy pulling him was more a chance to give the guy some rest before Thursday’s game.

Blake Comeau (F) – After having some strong games recently, Comeau was terrible tonight, taking two offensive zone penalties that led to goals, and covering no one on the other two power play goals.

Matt Duchene (B) – Duchene was probably one of the better forwards on the team, creating a good amount offensively, and picking up an assist on Johnson’s goal.

Dennis Everberg (D) – What happened to the tenacious Everberg from last year?  He did some decent work on the rush in the first period, but he was too aggressive on a few power play goals tonight.  If this team ever gets completely healthy, he might be in trouble for a roster spot.

Brandon Gormley (C) – I would like to see what this guy could do away from a Guenin or a Stuart for a few games, but not sure that will happen.  He had some good moments tonight, and his penalty seemed more like bad luck than anything.

Mikhail Grigorenko (B) – Along with Duchene and Soderberg, I liked his game the most tonight for the forward group.  He thinks the game well enough to play with talented players, and the biggest surprise may be how strong he is defensively.  He made a few defensive plays tonight that stopped some top notch scoring chances.  I hope he sticks on the top line and Landeskog is placed with Soderberg on Thursday.

Nate Guenin (F) – Teams have figured out that all you have to do is pressure him and he will give the puck away.  It’s time to see what Redmond can do, as Guenin has been awful for two straight games.

Nick Holden (C) – He played a good amount tonight, at over 21 minutes, but I didn’t notice him screw up too much, which is a decent night for him.

Jarome Iginla (D) – Age catches up to everyone, but I don’t understand how someone so strong can lose so many battles for pucks.  He was physically overmatched tonight and I don’t think he created much of anything at even strength.

Erik Johnson (B) – EJ was probably the best Avs player on the ice tonight, but he had a few screw ups of his own on the PK by being too aggressive.  Some of the rushes he made in the first period make you wonder how someone so big can move so well.  His goal was a perfectly placed shot.

Nathan MacKinnon (D) – After a great game against Montreal, he followed it up with a clunker tonight, even though he did have a strong possession game.  He made not one but two turnovers leading to the shorthanded goal for Toronto, and then lost the faceoff and failed to clear the puck before the second Leafs goal.

Andreas Martinsen (D) – I didn’t think he had a particularly strong game overall, and while the team absolutely wants him to be physical, he has to be careful with the penalties, as he’s taken one in three of the four games he’s played.

Cody McLeod (C) – Somehow McLeod was credited with 12(!) hits tonight.  I don’t know how that’s possible, but the stat folks in Toronto must be pretty liberal with giving hits to people.

Jack Skille (C) – Skille had a great shot in the second period after opening himself up to take a pass, but he was also a passenger on one of the power play goals tonight for Toronto.  That seems to be a theme for the team.

Carl Soderberg (B) – Soderberg was great in the faceoff circle tonight at 71% and had another strong game for the Avs.  He had another positive possession game, which has been a bit of a theme for him of late.  I feel bad for him, considering who he has to play with on the second power play unit.

Ben Street (C) – 3 shots on goal in only 5:29 of ice time is pretty good, but Street more or less disappeared halfway through the second period when the bench was shortened.

Chris Wagner (C) – Obviously, the guy is not a 3rd line center, or he wouldn’t have been on waivers, but he performed alright tonight, other than in the faceoff circle (31%).  He was physical, had a few chances, and got into a bit of a scuffle in the second period.

The Avs continue their road trip as they head to Pittsburgh on Thursday to take on the Penguins.  The game starts at 5 PM MST.

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