Avs Game 3 Grades: Powering on

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – C

I think we’ve already gotten the hint that the offense from last season just isn’t going to happen again, but he’s still doing things alright defensively, and with Compher’s line being non-existent at even strength through three games, he’s basically playing as the 3C.

Matt Calvert – B+

It’s nice to see someone from the bottom six step in and get something done offensively. Through three games, Calvert has been pretty consistent in doing what he usually does, and it’s all through effort. He had one play in the neutral zone tonight where he looked beat, and he just dove to take the puck off the opposing player’s stick. That’s why the coaches and teammates love him. Led all forwards in ES TOI.

J.T. Compher – F

Compher has been a disappointment to start the year, and not much more to say about it. Takes a penalty late in the second period, and then loses the face-off just prior to the Kings’ second goal. He was the low man on the totem pole at even strength in terms of ice time on the entire team, and deservedly so.

Joonas Donskoi – C-

I think Donskoi started to show a little bit of life in this game, particularly on the forecheck when he was moving his feet. Picked up an assist on the power play, as he took over Burakovsky’s spot on the right half-wall.

Dennis Gilbert – C+

Not sure what role he’ll play on the Avs this year, but he was perfectly fine, and didn’t stand out in any way, which is probably a good thing. Threw a decent hit in the third period, which was probably the most noticeable thing he did. The only thing I’ll say is that I hate #9 on defensemen. Doesn’t look right.

Samuel Girard – B+

Have to love the way Girard has looked to start the year, minus that third period in game one. He seems more aggressive offensively, and at home on the half wall of the power play, rather than running it at the point.

Ryan Graves – B

I had concerns about Graves after the opening game, that he may continue with the struggles we saw in the bubble, but he’s bounced back really nicely and looks good on the penalty kill. What we probably saw in game one is that he can’t be the primary puck mover on his defensive pair.

Philip Grubauer – B+

Maybe the most encouraging thing to start the year is how well Grubauer has played. He gave up a few tonight, but not much of that was his fault. He looked calm and composed all night long, and has made big saves when the team has needed him. With Francouz out, now we have to see how the Avs handle this situation because they can’t risk overplaying him this early in the year.

Erik Johnson – C+

You could see the rust in his game, particularly with the puck, including a pass from Mikko in the first that just hit EJ’s stick and launched into the stands. But you could also see the effort, and the staff immediately putting him back on the penalty kill and on the ice late to protect the lead. That’s where they will need him, and considering he missed camp, not a bad debut.

Tyson Jost – B

For now, I can let it slide that he’s not creating any offense individually with only one shot on goal in three games because he’s playing really well otherwise. Another great PK game from him, and he was rewarded, playing the fourth most among forwards at even strength.

Nazem Kadri – D

OK, other than Compher, Kadri has probably been the second biggest disappointment, mainly at even strength. At least in this one, late in the game, he was getting some chances. He’s never been a great skater and had a slow start to the year last season, but it’s not there right now. Not terribly concerned yet, and the Avs are playing some poor teams on paper for the next bit, so he’s got some time to get going.

Gabriel Landeskog – C

On the stat sheet, the top line didn’t do all that great at even strength, getting outshot pretty bad considering the competition, but I’m liking Landy, for the most part, this year. Seeing him be the only forward to not register a single shot attempt at even strength is a little disappointing, though. Nice seeing Doughty just bounce off of him in the second.

Nathan MacKinnon – A

Not a perfect game by any means, but very easily could have been another three-point night, as that disallowed goal at the start of the second was a close call (I agree with the no-goal call). Playing against Kopitar is not easy, but as MacKinnon showed on the first Avs goal, playing against Doughty these days kind of is.

Cale Makar – C

Makar was a stud last game, all over the ice. A little less so tonight, particularly with the puck. I would say the good thing about this year is that when Makar has games like this, he now has a partner who can help him move the puck, and that takes some pressure off of him.

Valeri Nichushkin – B+

Not sure the offense will ever come back, but the rest of his game sure seems to be. He drew two more penalties tonight and seemed to be on his game defensively, particularly in the third period when he got moved up to the second line. Could have picked up an assist on the two-on-one with Kadri late, but Kadri missed the net.

Mikko Rantanen – C

Mikko really makes these one-time goals look super easy, even though they really are not. Beyond that, a super up and down game for him, as he was a little bit on the “floppy” side, where, in classic Mikko fashion, he tends to fall over at weird times. At one point, he collided with Landeskog on a breakout and took out the Captain.

Brandon Saad – B

That’s a dirty goal to get his Avs career going, and what he’s done a lot of his in his career with the lines he’s been on. I’m also relatively happy with what he’s doing defensively, and he made a really strong play early in the game when his linemates were stuck on the ice for a while, pinning his forward against the wall to help get the puck out and new guys on the ice.

Conor Timmins – C+

He really didn’t pay a ton in this one, which isn’t a surprise when there are seven defensemen in the lineup, but I thought he was good. No real stand out moments but a solid game overall for him. The move today to trade Ian (Erik) Cole has given him a boost in confidence moving forward.

Devon Toews – A

It’s rare that a team plays seven defensemen, but still rolls out one guy for 26 minutes. I’m not sure I’d advise them to continue doing this, but Toews doesn’t really look like a guy who played that many minutes when you watch him. He’s a great skater, and very efficient. He, along with Girard, has turned the second power play unit into a real weapon, something we couldn’t really say last year.