Avs Game 39 Grades - Lifeless at Home

The Avalanche continued to struggle in the second period, giving up three more goals against on their way to a 4-0 loss to the Calgary Flames.

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

Tyson Barrie (F) – Barrie was decent in the first period, but two turnovers led directly to two of the goals in the second period for the Flames, and he wasn’t doing much offensively.  In fairness to him, he may not be 100% still.

Francois Beauchemin (C) – Beauchemin had a quiet game overall, and outside of playing a 4 on 1 perfectly in the second period, didn’t do a whole lot else.

Blake Comeau (C) – Comeau also had a quiet game, but he missed a glorious scoring chance in front of the net in the second period that could have helped change the game.

Matt Duchene (C) – Roy finally put him back together with MacKinnon in the third period, but he is getting dragged down again by playing with sub par linemates.  Keep him away from John Mitchell.

Brandon Gormley (C-) – Gormley was out there for two goals against, but his partners on both goals (Barrie and Redmond) were mainly responsible, as they each turned the puck over seconds before the puck was in the net.  With Stuart returning, he cannot afford to struggle.

Mikhail Grigorenko (C+) – Grigorenko was probably one of the better forwards tonight, and actually put a few shots on net, but he needs to be stronger in the faceoff circle.  He was strong on the PK tonight.

Nick Holden (C-) – Teams that can skate expose Holden a little bit, and that was the case tonight.

Jarome Iginla (C-) – His teammates kept feeding him, and that’s not necessarily his fault, but he needs to bury the puck on at least one of them.  He also was nowhere near the point man on the third Flames goal.

Erik Johnson (B) – He was one of the few guys creating chances, rushing the puck up the ice, and that’s when he’s at his best.  I don’t understand why he was on the ice at the end of the game.  No reason to risk him to injury at that point.

Gabriel Landeskog (F) – A rough PK shift for Landy on the first Flames goal, as he had two failed clears, one of which went directly to Hamilton.  He hasn’t been scoring a lot lately, and the Avs need more from him.

Nathan MacKinnon (D) – You feel bad for him playing between two players who are not what they used to be.  That changed in the third period, but at times, it seems he’s too focused on feeding Iginla for #600.

Andreas Martinsen (D) – His lack of skill is getting exposed playing with guys like Duchene and MacKinnon.  Roy needs to keep him away from the skill players and just let him play his game on another line.

Cody McLeod (D) – I’m not sure I noticed McLeod playing tonight, but he didn’t do anything bad, so I guess that’s a good thing.

John Mitchell (F) – Mitchell with the hat trick tonight, but not the good kind.  Three penalties for Mitchell, including one that led to a Flames power play goal.  He was moved back to the 4th line in the third period, but we all know he’ll still be used more than he should be again in the near future.

Zach Redmond (F) – With Brad Stuart returning, Redmond cannot afford games like tonight.  He doesn’t use his defensive partner at all, and overhandles the puck far too much.  That issue led directly to the second Flames goal.

Jack Skille (D) – Skille hit the post in the third period with his great shot, but it was not a strong night for him overall.  I think the reason he’s never become more than what he currently is has to do with his tunnel vision when he gets the puck.  He rarely uses his linemates when he has the puck, most of the time just skating it up the ice and looking for a shot.

Carl Soderberg (B-) – Soderberg was probably the Avs best forward tonight, but that’s not saying much.  He was really good on the PK and looks comfortable in the defensive role Roy has been using him in.

Alex Tanguay (F) – When you get a mini breakaway, it’s best not to pass it off to a guy behind you.  That’s what Tanguay did in the first period, looking to feed Iginla for #600.  He lost a battle just prior to the fourth Flames goal, which is no surprise with him at this point in his career.

Semyon Varlamov (D) – You give up 4 goals and get pulled, you probably didn’t have a good night, but Varlamov didn’t get much help tonight and was hardly to blame.

The Avs play the Los Angeles Kings at home on Monday night.  The game starts at 7 PM MST.