Avs Game 34 Grades: Monarchy meltdown

Andrew Cogliano – D+ He scored a goal and that was great, but it was an incredibly soft one that shouldn’t beat an NHL goaltender. It was Cogliano’s penalty that Brad Hunt kept from happening with the weird interference call. Lazy feet in the neutral zone helped create the mess that was LA’s fourth goal. Hard to believe Cogliano would have such a low grade on a night where he potted a goal, but he was just so bad elsewhere.

J.T. Compher – A

Struggling to find reason to pick apart Compher’s game. He scored into the empty net for Colorado’s first goal and he continues to be a successful moonlight at 1C for the Avs. His production has taken a noticeable leap with his role. He may not be a top C, but he’s a major part of what the points the Avs have banked in the standings.

Andreas Englund – C

Some big mistakes in this one, but he nearly won the game just at the end of regulation with an end-to-end rush where he tried to split the Kings’ defense. His ups and downs were big time. Should have drawn a tripping call in the dying moments of regulation but the officials decided they were done calling penalties. A shame.

Alexandar Georgiev – D

The first goal is awful from Georgiev. There’s no way that shot should beat him as cleanly as it did. The other goals are tough to really pin too much on him. Was not good enough in the shootout with just one save on three shooters.

Sam Girard – F

I don’t have any problems with how Girard defends the first goal, but his matador impression on the game-tying acceptable is simply unacceptable. Had a nice centering pass to Lehkonen that wasn’t buried, but the major mistakes far outweigh any good Girard provided tonight.

Charles Hudon – C

Barely broke the barrier for getting an actual letter grade. The 5:25 of ice time was his most notable accomplishment of the night.

Brad Hunt – D

What in the world was that penalty call in the third period? Savvy move for him to try to bat it down and try to prevent the delay of game. Hell, trading Hunt in the box for Cogliano on the PK is a wonderful trade for the team. It didn’t work out, but could have neat. Otherwise another rough outing for Hunt.

Erik Johnson – F

Alongside Girard, this pairing has collapsed in both games back from the Christmas break. People took umbrage with how Girard played LA’s first goal, but from the moment the puck entered the offensive zone, Erik Johson didn’t accomplish anything. He stood and watched the play develop and then tried to get a stick out late to disrupt the shot attempt. Ugly defense.

Artturi Lehkonen – B-

One of those nights where his tryhard tendencies were the dominant trait you noticed from him. Failed to bury an exceptional chance on the doorstep when Girard hit him with a centering feed. His finishing ability leaves you wanting, but everything else he gets involved in ends up better than it was before his arrival.

Kurtis MacDermid – INC

Had a decent scoring chance.

Jacob MacDonald – INC

The scoring chance was actually MacDonald’s and would have been a great backhand finish in traffic. Otherwise, these two guys once again contributed very little.

Cale Makar – A+

Three points in the second period should have been enough to get the Avs across the finish line. Had some defensive issues of his own alongside Toews, but the superstar stuff on offense made up for that.

Denis Malgin – C

You see where the team likes a little of what Malgin brings to the table, but the shortcomings are just so…plain to see. He doesn’t win board battles and doesn’t finish high-end scoring chances.

Ben Meyers – C+

Meyers finished negative in shot share but broke even when factoring in quality. He’s using his speed better than ever and had a more physical presence than we’ve previously seen from him. Needs to do more with PP TOI, but he’s not alone in that room.

Alex Newhook – C- Didn’t drive as much play as we saw earlier this week and his skating wasn’t quite the same impact. He is capable of making some damn fine plays but creating the time and space remains his most fixable problem. Got a shift in OT, immediately turned it over and created a Kings scoring chance. One step forward, two steps back.

Logan O’Connor – C-

I just expect better defensively from LOC than we saw tonight. He wasn’t solely responsible for any of the goals against, but he can’t be on the ice when the Avs are getting outshot 7-1 at 5v5 and trying to use this line to help keep them afloat.

Mikko Rantanen – B

Two assists, but not made equally. The first goal was a touch lucky because defenders got sticks on it as Mikko passed up scoring into an empty net in order to make a much higher-risk pass through the seam. The touch pass on the second goal is a brilliant skill play. Could’ve used some finish in the shootout.

Evan Rodrigues – A-

A goal and an assist and a playstyle that is turning into the ultimate secret weapon for the Avalanche. His malleable game lends to contributions all over Colorado’s lineup. It doesn’t matter where Rodrigues is being asked to play – he’s making the line he lands on better. Only blemish was losing his guy on LA’s second goal. Rodrigues has to take that passing lane away and instead got beat to the spot. Bummer to see his brilliant shootout move not work a third time.

Devon Toews – B-

I think he’s primarily responsible for LA’s PPG in the third period to make it 4-3 just over a minute into the final frame. Makar attacks the puck in the corner and Toews never really rotates or moves. Leaving a shooter that wide open is just a mess. Bad read on an otherwise predictably strong evening from this half of Colorado’s top defensive pairing.