Avs Game 4 Grades: Better effort, same result

Andre Burakovsky – C+

Lots of chances in the game, probably some of the better ones for the Avs, but no finish. Still felt like he was a little soft on the puck at times but the process was much better for him.

Bowen Byram – C+

Felt pretty up and down, which I expected when he was moved to the top pair. There were times that he was a little too aggressive on pinches when Makar was already up, so there may just be an adjustment to make playing with a very different partner. Made a great feed to Makar in the second that was only stopped by a great defensive stick.

J.T. Compher – B+

Another strong game from him. Blocked a shot for a breakaway in the first, which drew a penalty. Continued to get chances and generated five shot attempts at even strength. Last year, that was unheard of from Compher, as he struggled to create any chances at all, so this is a much better start for him.

Samuel Girard – C+

I think it’s fair to wonder why the play on the first goal wasn’t blown dead. The whole point of the no-touch icing is safety, and that was a pretty tight race that ended violently, regardless of whether or not the puck went in. After that Girard kind of played angry, even trying to run a guy at center ice. He missed, but he looked fired up.

Darren Helm – C

He was just fine, but also, it’s weird when he ices the puck at even strength to get out of danger and then struggles to clear the puck on the penalty kill, which happened a few times. I think there’s limited offense there but he’s still shown to be a great skater.

Jonas Johansson – B+

I didn’t like how he looked in the first period, as he was unsure of himself in net. From the second period on, he was great, and can’t pin this one on him at all. He did what he had to do in the second to hold this team in the game after a barrage of shots, and a flukey double deflection at the end of the period was the killer.

Erik Johnson – C

Was completely fine other than the penalty, but the thing about Johnson is that they need him to be a physical presence on the blueline, so I will honestly take a penalty like that occasionally if he keeps playing that way.

Jack Johnson – C+

I liked Johnson a good bit. He rubbed forwards off the puck along the wall pretty well all night, including a nice play on Barkov in the third period. The third pair did their job.

Tyson Jost – B-

Looks completely at home between O’Connor and Helm, generating five shot attempts, which is a lot for him. He hasn’t been as pesky on the penalty kill this year as he was last year, so hoping to see more of that.

Nazem Kadri – B-

My frustration with Kadri will always be when he doesn’t use his linemates, and he was good with that tonight, for the most part. Fed Burakovsky for a great chance on a two-on-one early, fed Compher from behind the net for a nice chance in the third. Still taking too long to get rid of the puck on his shots but I’ve liked his start.

Martin Kaut – C+

A better showing from him, particularly with his battle in the defensive zone, which was evident in his first few shifts on the night. Played with the puck a little more as well. Still not getting a ton of time but looks better than he did last year.

Gabriel Landeskog – D

Liked his start, and it was evident the top line misses his defensive conscience early when he was the safety valve on the backcheck. But the line was sloppy all night, and his turnover at the end of the second was a real killer. I had no issue with the hit at the end of the third.

Nathan MacKinnon – D

Hit the post, but really didn’t look dangerous. Zero shots on goal on the official scoresheet. That’s rare for him. He missed a wide-open net in the first, so I think he’s still off. He tried to skate through players a little too often and the Panthers were ready for it. Not a great night.

Cale Makar – D

Looked better defensively, particularly with his stick, but offensively, it’s not there right now. Got the puck taken off his stick from behind in the third period for a great Panthers chance, and immediately got off the ice. You can tell he’s a little frustrated.

Mikhail Maltsev – B-

Really liked his effort. Made a great backcheck to spring a two-on-one in the first period, and made smart defensive plays all night long. His skating looked slow most of the night other than his rush in the third period, but this was a good game for him and he showed well in a nice spot.

Ryan Murray – B

Easily his best game in an Avs uniform, and more what I was expecting from him. Steady play, and decent with the puck on his stick. Started to get a little more involved offensively.

Logan O’Connor – B

Another really strong game from LOC, with the only downer being the penalty. When he was on the penalty kill, he was really strong and continued to create chances offensively.

Sampo Ranta – C

The effort is there, but the head isn’t always. Had a great chance in front in the second but couldn’t bury it. Nearly got burned with a backhand pass at the offensive blue line but the Panthers player flubbed it.

Mikko Rantanen – D

Scored a goal, and made it look easy, but the rest of the game did not look easy for him. The penalty call on him was BS, as there was nothing that he could have done there, but there just feels like he has way more to give. Certainly have not seen his best.