Avs Game 32 Grades: Well-earned break

J.T. Compher – B

Wild third period taking two sticks to the face, missing a Grade A scoring chance in front of the net, and then finding a way to score just seconds later. He’s stepped up big time in the absence of MacKinnon and might get a hefty payday this summer because of it.

Andreas Englund – C+

Completely destroyed Niederreiter in the third period after he had a great chance, and a little surprised he didn’t get called for the optics of it.

Alexandar Georgiev – B+

Was dynamite at even strength. In the third period, had to make some tough saves to keep the Avs within one, and his glove was on fire.

Sam Girard – B-

I get that he was anticipating a pass back to the wall on the first Preds goal rather than a shot, but it left him behind and Johansen was all alone. Great to see him get the winning goal against his former team. Did a better shot of getting some shots through, and actually surprised his goal went in because it didn’t look like he got a ton on it.

Brad Hunt – C

Missed some pretty open shots badly in the second period from the point, but appeared to leave the game in the third after a battle around the net.

Erik Johnson – B-

Another strong and relatively quiet game. Had a one-time shot in the third period that nearly took the head off of MacDonagh.

Martin Kaut – INC

Just as it looked like he might get another look in the top nine, leaves the game with an injury after it looked like he got the better of a collision.

Artturi Lehkonen – B–

More chances right around the net that couldn’t go in, but great work on the tying goal to play the two-man game up high with Rantanen and just get the shot around the first defender.

Kurtis MacDermid – INC

In a game where the Avs lost two forwards to injury, he played 1:12.

Jacob MacDonald – INC

Only managed to play because of those two injured forwards. Almost got injured himself in the third.

Cale Makar – B-

Not quite sure what happened on the second Preds goal for Duchene to get behind him so easily, and for that pass to get through so easily. Continues to get chances that aren’t going for him.

Denis Malgin – B

He’s certainly creating plenty of good chances for the team and has a high level of creativity for a bottom-six forward. Had a great look in the second period that Saros managed to get across and rob him on. Best possession numbers on the night for the team and got moved up to the second line when Nichushkin left.

Ben Meyers – B

Speaking of a guy who can’t get anything to fall for him. Meyers played a lot in the third period, had a great look to O’Connor for a chance in front of the net, and almost put home a rebound himself later in the period. Getting chances but can’t get anything to fall.

Alex Newhook – C+

Great look to Malgin in the second period on his backhand that Saros robbed. Had a good look himself in the third off a Rodrigues drop pass but wasn’t able to get the best shot off.

Valeri Nichushkin – D

Left after the second period and you just wonder how healthy he’s been since returning. He had a shot in the second period off a rush where he got little to no power behind it. Need him to rest up and get healthy for the second half of the year.

Logan O’Connor – B

Workhorse shift right before the Rantanen goal, as he went around the world and had a great look for himself. A few seconds later, his forecheck work against tired defenders got the puck to Mikko for the goal that got the Avs back in it. Robbed in the third by Saros on a good look around the crease.

Mikko Rantanen – A-

His arms are getting tired, not only from carrying the offense, but the amount of shots he’s taking. 13 shots on goal and 18 attempts alone, and his goal was perfectly labeled. With the injuries, should be getting Hart consideration.

Evan Rodrigues – B

You wonder if teams will ever catch on because after he pulled the same shootout move he did earlier in the year a few games ago, he pulled off the same fake shot-pass on the game-winning goal that he used a week ago. Did have his struggles getting the puck through on his own chances.

Devon Toews – B-

Pass on the second Preds goal got through a little too easy, but had some strong breakups on zone entries including a picture-perfect one in the third on Duchene.