Avs Game 2 Grades: Valiant effort

Andre Burakovsky – B

It’s wild that Burky ended with seven shot attempts, and yet the one that frustrated me the most is the one he didn’t take at the end, instead dropping it to Erik Johnson, who wasn’t in a shooting position. Burky had a really solid game otherwise, although I just don’t love him a ton on the powerplay.

Bowen Byram – B

There were more mistakes with the puck tonight, including a turnover in his own end in the first that Kuemper bailed him out on, but he continues to play really aggressively and I like it. He was banged up late in the game, so hopefully everything is okay.

J.T. Compher – A-

Compher has stepped up the first two games when the team has needed help at center, and tonight chipped in with some offense. Also had a good night in the face-off circle. His bounce-back would be huge for a team that lost some important offensive guys this summer.

Samuel Girard – C+

It’s weird, he and Makar can be magic offensively when the Avs have control but haven’t loved his defensive start. Certainly could have stepped up a bit more on the third Blues goal. Getting his shot through traffic still seems to be an issue.

Darren Helm – C-

Really have a hard time blaming Helm, who has been a fourth-liner his whole life, and started the game on the Avs second line because of the absurdness of the situation right now. Got caught out of position on the game-winning goal on the penalty kill, unfortunately.

Erik Johnson – B

Wasn’t as strong as last game, but again, really liked his game and think he’s off to a strong start. Had his patented EJ slide in the second period to help break up a 3 on 1 rush by the Blues.

Tyson Jost – B-

Wasn’t in love with his game until about halfway through the second. If the Avs can really get healthy, playing between Helm and O’Connor seems like such a good and natural fit for him until the Avs can figure out what they want to do in the bottom six.

Nazem Kadri – A

Love his first two games. Sure, he’s getting elevated in the lineup without MacKinnon, but he’s stepped up big time and looks locked in at both ends of the ice. Knew he had to fight on his first shift and seemed up for the task.

Darcy Kuemper – D

He was brought in to be the guy in games like this when the Avs are shorthanded, and I really didn’t like a few of the goals tonight, namely the first and the third. The Avs dominated the second period but still managed to give up two goals on three shots. His blocker has been the spot opposing teams have targeted early.

Kurtis MacDermid – F

A harmless two on two rush suddenly ended up in a mini-breakaway and in the Avs net. This is the stuff we worried about when he was acquired and it showed up in a big way. Struggled to move the puck and was benched for most of the second half of the game.

Cale Makar – B

Started to get his hands back more and more as the game went on, and you could really see him pushing things in the third period when the Avs desperately needed it. Loved it in the third why Kyrou tried to rush through him and Makar read it perfectly while trying to blow him up at the same time.

Stefan Matteau – INC

Played a few shifts and then got his ankle rolled up and left immediately. Tough break when you’re only dressing 11 forwards.

Jayson Megna – D

Megna went from the first callup to sixth among forwards in ice time real fast. He really does not use his teammates on the ice and was leaving the zone a lot in hopes of getting a breakaway pass.

Ryan Murray – C-

Not super impressed through two games but certainly an improvement over MacDermid. I’m not sure if he’s used to playing the right side but he does not appear to be super comfortable there.

Logan O’Connor – B+

Another great game, and drawing the penalty in the third period on the penalty kill nearly turned the entire game around. Guy is just relentless and showed it again tonight.

Sampo Ranta – C-

Had a good rush in the second but lost the puck when trying to drive the net. That’s his big move right now. Beyond that, looked in over his head a lot, specifically in the defensive zone, but the situation right now is not allowing the Avs to really shelter him. The turnover and then penalty in the third period just cannot happen.

Mikko Rantanen – B

Mikko had 15 (!) shot attempts on the evening, and yet, there seemed to be another level for him to get to. I do think he and Kadri have some chemistry, something to keep in the back pocket if the Avs have to switch things around on the big line to spread it out. Got completely robbed by Binnington in the third period.

Dylan Sikura – D

A skilled player who provided pretty much no offense tonight with zero shot attempts in almost 13 minutes of ice time.