Avs Game 20 Grades - Nightmare in the Nation's Capital

The Avalanche were down 4-0 before the first period was even over, and sloppy defensive play led to a 7-3 loss at the hands of the Washington Capitals.

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

Tyson Barrie (D) – Like most of the team, Barrie was a mess in his own end, and got exposed on a few goals this evening.  It’s not often that Tyson Barrie goes a whole game without a shot on net either.

Francois Beauchemin (D) – Not a good game for the veteran.  He had possession of the puck behind the Avs net prior to Washington’s 2nd goal, but just threw it away to no one and the Avs weren’t able to get it back.  His passing tonight was not crisp.

Reto Berra (F) – Playing so many games in a row may have worn on Berra, as he was pulled for the second time in three games.  He was swimming around like a fish on the 3rd Washington goal, and I don’t understand how a 6’5″ goalie gets beat up high when he’s not even going down.

Blake Comeau (C) – Comeau made a great pass to McLeod for the Avs first goal, but too often tonight he was holding onto the puck too much.  One time, it led to him turning it over at the Avs offensive blueline, and that led to chances in the Avs end.  Another 0 shot night for Comeau.

Matt Duchene (D) – He was due for an off night, and he wasn’t alone on his line.  They didn’t create a lot of chances, but it was going to happen eventually.  He got caught watching on the Capitals 7th goal.

Dennis Everberg (D) – If you didn’t see this, you might not even know Everberg played, which has, unfortunately, been the case too often this year.

Brandon Gormley (B) – He had a strong game.  He’s started to join the rush more the last few games, and his breakout pass led to the Avs 3rd goal.

Mikhail Grigorenko (B+) – Another night where Grigorenko was a big time bright spot for the team.  The only reason I didn’t give him an A grade is he got caught watching way too much on Ovechkin’s goal.  He had a beautiful rush up the ice in the third period, and then showed tremendous patience prior to the Avs 3rd goal.  Really liking the way he is playing right now.

Nick Holden (D) – Even though he was the Avs best possession defenseman tonight, he got abused on a few goals, including the strange 6th goal for Washington.  He’s making better decisions with the puck this season, but his foot speed is still an issue.

Jarome Iginla (C) – Iggy threw a big hit in the first period, but also was caught not moving his feet in the defensive zone on the Capitals 2nd goal, which he’s done far too much of this year.  He had a few chances to bury the puck in the first period and keep it close but his chances got blocked.

Erik Johnson (C-) – An off night for EJ, whose skating still looks way better.  His decision making with the puck wasn’t fantastic tonight.

Gabriel Landeskog (D) – A nice little pass to MacKinnon for his goal, but the Captain wasn’t good tonight.  He had a great chance to unleash a shot in the third period from a good spot, but instead held onto it and turned the puck over for a chance the other way.

Nathan MacKinnon (D) – He scored a goal tonight, but it’s not really a coincidence that the Avs have lost three in a row when MacKinnon hasn’t been at his best.  The puck was bouncing off his stick a lot tonight.

Andreas Martinsen (B) – A good night for the big Norwegian, and he got his first NHL goal by going to the net, which he’ll need to do to stick in this league.  His size on the forecheck worked well with Grigorenko and Iginla.

Cody McLeod (B-) – Another offensive zone penalty tonight for McLeod, but other than that, he was strong, and he’ll never score a nicer goal than the one he had tonight.  I still despise him trying to fight someone at the end of a blowout game.  It does nothing and just looks stupid.

Calvin Pickard (B-) – He made some tremendous saves in the second and early in the third, but the 6th and 7th goals for the Capitals are probably ones he wants back.

Zach Redmond (B) – I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Redmond in his two games.  When he moves his feet, he’s a good player, and can help the breakout.  He did a nice job of creating a lane to get the puck on net for Martinsen’s goal.

Jack Skille (D) – Much like Everberg, if you hadn’t read this recap, you might not know he even played tonight.  He was just kind of…there.

Carl Soderberg (C+) – He didn’t have a great night defensively, but made a great play to keep the puck in for the Avs first goal.

Chris Wagner (F) – He got crushed in his fight, and lost 8 of the 9 faceoffs he took.  Not a good night for him.

The Avs finish their long road trip on Monday night in Winnipeg as they take on the Jets.  The game starts at 6 PM MST.