Avs Game 25 Grades: Bright spots in a loss

Cal Burke – D

He did his part, I guess, but his lack of talent was a little more obvious in game two. Had a nice rush up the ice for a chance but instead pulled up on the wall and turned it into a cycle.

Andrew Cogliano – B-

It seemed like any time someone on that line had a chance to score, it ended up on Cogliano’s stick, and not just in regulation. Had one of the team’s best looks in overtime but put it right into the chest.

J.T. Compher – C+

Took a lot of face-offs and about broke even. Played some heavy minutes, and was relied on a lot in overtime. Big shot blocks, including one in the third period on the PK.

Andreas Englund – D

Really likes to jump into the play, and got himself caught on the only Rangers goal in regulation. Pinched in along the boards with some tired forwards and never even got close to coming back. Had a nice hit in the first period but that was because he gave the puck right to the guy.

Jean-Luc Foudy – B+

The type of game that gets you noticed. A lot of chances created by his speed and some smart shots. The one shot he didn’t take was the one you might want him to, when he passed to Hudon on the two on zero and Hudon got his stick lifted. Maybe want him to be a bit more selfish there.

Alexandar Georgiev – B+

Can’t really complain about one goal against in 65 minutes of action. Shootout is what it is. Avs really didn’t give up a ton of high-end scoring chances but Georgiev stood his ground and performed quite well in both games against his former team.

Sam Girard – B-

We got glimpses of La Tornade, with a few spinoramas and another nice maneuver at the blue line to create a lane. That’s a little bit more of what you want to see from him. Picked up an assist on the nice set face-off play goal.

Charles Hudon – B+

He’s certainly getting his chances but can’t seem to finish any of them. Stick lifted on the two on zero and then moments later went between the legs to create a backhand chance, only to miss the net. He and Foudy had a fair bit of mojo going together.

Brad Hunt – C

Probably overcommited a little too much to Panarin on the only Rangers goal but was hung out to dry a bit by his defensive partner. Beyond that, didn’t really notice the guy.

Dryden Hunt – C

The Avs have certainly cornered the market on Hunt’s. Only shot on net wasn’t a dangerous one.

Erik Johnson – C+

He’s had to escape quite a bit this year, but sometimes he escapes too much and just ends up having to throw the puck away, which defeats the purpose a bit. Had a few blocks on the penalty kill that were nice.

Jacob MacDonald – INC

Never a good sign when you’re shifted to a position that you aren’t natural in and someone takes your spot. Only time I noticed him was on a rush up the wing and he took a poor shot from the wall that was blocked and went out of play.

Cale Makar – B+

Doing everything he has to do to score without actually scoring. Shesterkin might have added a bit of flair to the overtime glove save, but it was a great save and might have saved his team a point. An 11-shot attempt evening, stepping up in the absence of MacKinnon.

Ben Meyers – B+

Great rush in the second period where he slid the puck under the defender’s stick to get a good shot off on a break. Played over 18 minutes, which is pretty massive all things considered, and looked pretty good in the process. The third line of callups had good numbers together, but Meyers took a few shifts with Rantanen as well.

Alex Newhook – B-

Great one-touch pass to Rantanen on the goal. I can’t complain about him not shooting the puck, but can complain a little about not hitting the net. He had some good looks in nice spots but went high every time, including a great pass from behind the net by Rantanen that he fired over the net.

Valeri Nichushkin – C+

You could tell by overtime he was pretty gassed, and the hands weren’t there at all during the game, as he was fumbling pucks all over the place. Expected after you miss so much time. Still, powered his way to the net on the only goal and just his presence moves everyone in the lineup down a bit.

Logan O’Connor – C

Had some looks but neither of them were good scoring chances. The return of Nichushkin and strong games from some of the callups meant they didn’t have to rely on him as much at even strength as they have of late .

Mikko Rantanen – B

Scored off his own face-off win, which is always a nice feeling, and did quite well in the face-off circle overall. Had plenty of good passes to set guys up but no one was finishing. His look to draw defenders to him in the first and then hit Nichushkin on the rush was perfect. Still not a fan of him in the 3 on 3 OT.

Devon Toews – B+

The crossbar in the second period stung a bit considering the final score, and also the fact he’s not been scoring as much this year. Still, he had a really strong game beyond that and a bit of a bounce back effort for him. Glorious chance at the absolute last second in overtime.