Avs Game 29 Grades: Second line emerges

Andrew Cogliano – C

Some nice work on the penalty kill with the stick work, so much so that I thought he would get a penalty. Did end up taking a penalty on a good look for Makar unfortunately.

J.T. Compher – B

Suddenly a face-off master who generates shots at a high rate. Great look to Nichushkin backdoor in the first period that he somehow missed, but another strong game in a big role.

Andreas Englund – C+

You can see a bit of the skillset. At one point in the second, he evaded a forecheck nicely…only to ice the puck. The puck skills are what kills it but his defensive zone work is strong. Had a really nice one-on-one play defensively against Granlund in the third.

Jean-Luc Foudy – D

Great look to Hudon, which was missed terribly, but his last shift of the night was a tough one, stuck in his own end against better players. Sent down after the game, but if he doesn’t come back, an encouraging call-up for sure.

Alexandar Georgiev – B+

Really strong game. There weren’t a ton of Grade A chances for Nashville after the first period, but the biggest was his glove save on Forsberg near the end.

Sam Girard – C

He still cannot get a shot through to the net to save his life, but a good defensive game and good work on the breakouts. Had a few nice stick plays on Trenin, who is much bigger.

Charles Hudon – D

Bombed his only shot at the net and it wasn’t even really that close. Sent down after the game like Foudy, but could easily be for cap reasons.

Brad Hunt – C

Really not noticing Hunt a lot, which is a good thing for being the 9th or 10th guy called up on defense. Makes some pretty solid plays getting the puck out and had to make some tougher plays on his off-side against Nashville.

Dryden Hunt – INC

I do not recall this man playing in this game. (Ed.’s note: He did draw that one penalty!)

Erik Johnson – C–

Was the only defenseman to really take a beating in the shot share but did keep up the physicality all night, especially against his old friend Duchene.

Artturi Lehkonen – B

Took a beating in front of the net on the power play, and looked like he might have been hurt just prior to the Rantanen goal, but seemed just fine. He and Nichushkin were doing some work on the penalty kill in the second period.

Cale Makar – B+

That looked a little bit more like the Makar we’re used to seeing, and the confidence on the empty net shot was there. Plenty of good looks pinching into the slot and down the wall. The Preds really have not figured out how to defend him.

Ben Meyers – B+

Perhaps his best game to date, with lots of speed and a few good net drives. Got put between two really solid players and that seemed to help him a lot. Even though LOC got a good shot off, wanted him to take the shot in the second off the turnover when he was left all alone.

Alex Newhook – B+

Great look to Nichushkin in the first that Nuke couldn’t bury, but love the release on his goal in the second period. Bednar seems to prefer him on the wing, so not sure this second-line center thing is going to happen, but he’s producing at a solid pace after a slow start.

Valeri Nichushkin – B-

Great pass on the Rantanen goal, and picked up an assist on the late Rodrigues goal as well, but still seems really sloppy with the puck. Had a great look on a four-on-two in the first period and fired it right into the goalie’s chest.

Logan O’Connor – C+

Simply cannot score despite plenty of good looks in good scoring areas, but continues to play strong defensively and another good night on the penalty kill.

Mikko Rantanen – B+

Well, he’s no longer racking up assists because he keeps taking all the goals for himself. A great shot just moments after hitting the post, and recognized Saros didn’t have his stick. The powerplay looked a little more deadly.

Evan Rodrigues – B+

The Avs transition game looks so much better with another skilled player with speed on the ice. A lot of zone entries that were very clean, and a great look to Newhook that got both Saros and the defender to freeze just a little bit.

Devon Toews – B-

There were a few rougher turnovers, which has been a surprising trend of late, but a strong game overall. Really didn’t get too involved at the offensive end.