Avs Game 30 Grades: Finding a groove at home

Andrew Cogliano – C+

A lot of really strong cycle work with Meyers in the first two periods. A real shame that he went into the boards hard in the third and it didn’t look great.

J.T. Compher – B

This man is just taking every face-off imaginable for the team at the moment, with another 31 against the Islanders. Missed what looked like a slam dunk winner in overtime but strong game otherwise.

Andreas Englund – D

The cracks showed a bit in this one. Nice hit early but a really rough first period with getting beat wide a few times and some turnovers. Didn’t get much better the rest of the evening.

Alexandar Georgiev – A

How do you argue with a shutout? Didn’t have to make as many high end saves as Sorokin, but held his own with some quick kick saves.

Sam Girard – B+

Had had a big problem getting shots through to the net but had no issues with that against the Islanders, getting six through at even strength alone. Had plenty of good looks and some nice breakups defensively to start the transition.

Brad Hunt – C–

His metrics don’t look great but thought he had to clean up a lot of the mess that Englund had created. Had a nice chance in the third jumping in on a rush for a quick shot.

Erik Johnson – C+

Not the best pinch in the second period where Toews helped bail him out on a two on one, but solid night beyond that.

Martin Kaut – B-

Did what he needed to do, but how consistent he is in the next games is what matters. Was strong on the forecheck and had a great backcheck in the second period to break up a rush.

Artturi Lehkonen – A-

Did everything except score a goal. Hit the post in the second period, had plenty of other great looks, most of which came within 10 feet of the net. Led the team with seven individual scoring chances. Took a beating most of the night too.

Kurtis MacDermid – INC

For barely playing, he was involved a lot in the first two periods but still didn’t hit the threshold. Had some decent hits but the penalty was well earned, skating all the way across the ice to lay a hit a good bit after the puck was gone.

Jacob MacDonald – INC

The ultimate INC. Played less than two minutes.

Cale Makar – A-

Can you be any more perfect of a human being? He’s right, it shouldn’t have been a penalty, but you just never see that happen. And on top of that, he had a great night. Lots of good chances jumping into the rush, including one right in the slot in the third period.

Ben Meyers – B+

Another great game, and had some good chances in front, including a deflection that hit the post in the second period. Looked right at home cycling the puck with O’Connor and Cogliano.

Alex Newhook – B

For whatever reason he just does seem to play a good bit better on the wing than down the middle. Had lots of good looks that couldn’t go like the rest of the team. Honestly a little confusing why he didn’t get a chance in overtime.

Valeri Nichushkin – B-

The hands have not quite returned post-injury but did hit the post in the third period. His presence allows the Avs to shift things around because he’s a safety valve for any line they put him on.

Logan O’Connor – B-

Had a great look to Girard in the third period on a three on three that really caught me off guard, and seemed to catch Girard a little off guard because it was a full cross-ice pass.

Mikko Rantanen – B+

The flip play toward the end of the third period would have been an insane goal if it had gone in, even if Mikko’s stick did look a little high on the tip to himself. Looked like MacKinnon with all the shots he was taking. A whopping 15 on the evening.

Evan Rodrigues – B+

A great game in transition and created looks for himself and his linemates. The shootout goal was pretty identical to his one earlier in the year, but apparently Sorokin didn’t get the heads up that one was coming.

Devon Toews – A-

One second he’s shutting down a zone entry at the defensive blue line on the left side, and then 10 seconds later he’s rushing down the right wing on a mini-breakaway. The man just does not get tired. The only thing he couldn’t do was get his shots through. Everything else was money.