Avs Game 32 Grades - Ugh

The Colorado Avalanche were shutout for the 7th (!) time in only 32 games, on their way to an embarrassing 6-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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

Tyson Barrie (C-) – Barrie looked better at even strength tonight with the puck, but another game where he couldn’t put it all together.  He gave JVR way too much room on both of his goals in the second period, and the Avs continuing to force Barrie on the power play at the point is beyond annoying.  His shot doesn’t scare other teams.

Francois Beauchemin (D) – Beauchemin was just kind of there, in the area, doing nothing, on both power play goals for the Leafs.  He did the same the other night against Minnesota.

Rene Bourque (D) – The Avs top PP unit was on the ice for a good chunk of this game, but Bourque led the Avs forwards in shots on goal.  That says all you need to know.  He had the defensive zone turnover just prior to the 3rd Leafs goal.

Joe Colborne (C-) – Colborne showed a little bit more tonight, and he did get some decent ice time, but he’s passing up way too many shots.  There were times in both the first and second periods where he tried to make an extra pass instead of taking the shot and it didn’t work.

Blake Comeau (F) – Comeau was beyond annoying tonight.  There were at least three occasions where the Avs were ready to break out, and Comeau couldn’t make a simple play to get the puck out, turning it over and causing issues for the Avs.

Matt Duchene (D) – Another player who was annoying tonight?  Duchene.  He was doing way too much spinning with the puck in the corner instead of taking it to the net or passing, and I wonder if that had to do with him not having much faith in his linemates.

Cody Goloubef (C) – Goloubef has been decent the last two games.  Maybe a little bit of practice time did him well after he was thrown to the wolves early.

Jarome Iginla (D) – Iginla had a great assist tonight to JVR, when his shot missed the net high and wide at the end of the PP, and JVR came out of the box and scored 5 seconds later.  Please stop feeding him on the PP.

Gabriel Landeskog (F) – ZERO shots on goal for the Captain.  Not acceptable.

Nathan MacKinnon (F) – MacK ended with a couple of shots on goal, but he had zero through two periods.  And that’s with two extended 5 on 3’s.  He should be more selfish in those situations.

Andreas Martinsen (D) – Martinsen went around and threw some decent hits but he has not been able to do anything with the puck in over a month.  Plays die on his stick.

Cody McLeod (D) – Great fight, too bad it came as the Avs were breaking into the offensive zone.  He had a ridiculous giveaway in the first when he had time in the defensive zone and just handed it to the Leafs defender.

John Mitchell (D) – Mitchell had one of his classic shifts in the third period, when he dangled through the offensive zone, and when it came time to pass, he missed his guy by about 5 feet.  We’ve seen that a lot over the years.

Mikko Rantanen (F) – He does not look right since his shoulder got hit hard in the last Toronto game.  Lots of bad turnovers, and poor decision making on the power play.

Carl Soderberg (D) – Soderberg had a great shift in the second period that helped draw a penalty, but was invisible other than getting smoked in the 3rd.

Fedor Tyutin (C) – He was out there for both power play goals by the Leafs, but managed to avoid being on the ice for one at even strength, so good for him.

Semyon Varlamov (F) – Just an awful game from Varly, and it seemed like he was off his angle on a good chunk of the shots.  He was beaten clean on three shots from far out tonight.

Patrick Wiercioch (C) – Credit to Wiercioch for getting some shots through to the net tonight.  His four shots on goal were second to Tyson Barrie on the tema.  That’s what he was doing when he was successful early in the year.

Nikita Zadorov (C-) – Zadorov hit the post in the second on the power play, and got on the power play at the end of the game, so maybe that’s something they’ll start doing more in the future.  It was nice to see him get physical in the 3rd, but I’m sure Bednar ripped into the team before the start of that period.

The Avs play their final game before their Christmas break tomorrow against the Chicago Blackhawks.  The game starts at 6:30 PM MST.