Avs Game 41 Grades: They did it again

Nicolas Aube-Kubel – C

I like Aube-Kubel. I like that he lined up Hall and while a lot of people thought he could have blown him up, he still laid a solid hit and held up to not take a penalty. I’m a little baffled why he didn’t get a single shift in the third period. I sure think he can provide more offense than Jost right now.

Andre Burakovsky – B

The decision-making wasn’t there at all times, but the skating and puck control was. One of his more consistent games from start to finish in a while. He’s pretty snakebit at the moment, getting robbed by Ullmark in the third, but if he skates like this and shoots as much as he did against Boston, the points will come.

J.T. Compher – C+

300 games really doesn’t sound like a lot in the grand scheme of things, but 90% of NHL players don’t hit that, so congrats to him. Had a great chance in the second period shorthanded and tried to go upstairs and almost hit the second story of Ball Arena instead. Going to need some offense to kick in real soon.

Samuel Girard – B

Fluky goals are still goals, and for all the shots that Girard gets blocked, it’s kind of hilarious that one ends up in the back of the net. Kicked off the comeback and all the good vibes for the team. A 3 on 2 led by Pastrnak and Marchand is not easy to defend but probably could have defended the Bruins third goal a little better.

Erik Johnson – F

I actually don’t blame him on the first Bruins goal. The Avs play aggressively, and he had coverage in Mikko. Not his fault Mikko made a poor shot and then a poor decision to pinch to make things worse. But the cross-checking penalty was just dumb, and he paid the price for it. Two goals scored by the Bruins, and he spent the rest of the night on the bench. Bednar doesn’t mess around.

Jack Johnson – C

Six months ago, I sure would not have guessed that Jack Johnson would be one of the three guys the Avs would be icing to kill a 5 on 3, and it still is a little jarring. 5 on 3’s are difficult to defend anyway but was out there for both the PK goals against and the only defenseman sub-50% in shot share.

Tyson Jost – B-

The effort is still there, and he got his nose dirty a lot, but they’re sure going to need some offense from him if MacKinnon is going to be out for any period of time. He got some chances tonight, including a good shot in the third that Ullmark gloved down, but there’s no finish. Like I mentioned earlier, a little surprised he got so much time in the third over a guy like Aube-Kubel when they needed a goal…but it worked.

Nazem Kadri – A

In a game that got really feisty, Kadri just kept his head down, stepped up with MacKinnon out of the lineup, and contributed another three assists. The pass to Landeskog for the tying goal was straight perfection.

Darcy Kuemper – C+

A solid game. The 5 on 3 goal is what it is, and the Marchand shot was elite, but he didn’t seem too happy with the Debrusk goal. Made some big saves, however, particularly on Debrusk in the third to keep the Avs within distance.

Gabriel Landeskog – A

People can be mad that he didn’t just straight go after Hall after the hit on MacKinnon, and that’s fine, but he let him know what was going on in the second period and made a point that this team won’t be walked over. And beyond that, he played really well, hitting the post in the second period, and then the tying goal coming seconds after a high effort play from him stopped Marchand from clearing the puck.

Kurtis MacDermid – B+

Never thought he would score, but man, did he play with some swagger against Boston. It also feels like his skating suddenly looks a little better than it did to start the year. Credit to him, he played really well.

Nathan MacKinnon – INC

I did not know that much blood could come out of a nose. That was some scary stuff to see live. Just hope it’s nothing serious, but wouldn’t be surprised if the Avs just told him to chill until after the All-star break.

Cale Makar – C+

Boston did a really nice job not letting him get going. He had a few rushes and chances but was kept to the outside for the most part, or they just straight blocked the shot. But you can’t keep him down for long, and let’s add yet another OT winner to his resume. WE WANT 30!

Mikhail Maltsev – B-

I would think he earned more ice time than he got, but it’s a process with a young player and a coach. His one shift in the third period, he won a face-off back to the point for a good chance. Looks more confident than he did early in the year.

Alex Newhook – C

Is likely going to get a big shot to move into the top six if MacKinnon is out, but didn’t do a whole lot against Boston. Mostly deferred to his linemates who were really solid, but wasn’t able to create anything for himself. Loved seeing him battle Marchand down low in the defensive zone in the third period.

Valeri Nichushkin – B+

Tried to get a little cute in the second on the Marchand goal and it hurt the team, but beyond that, was fantastic again. Most human beings would be injured going in full speed to the post as he did in overtime. He shrugged it off like nothing. Built different.

Logan O’Connor – B-

A post off a face-off win in the third in what would have been a huge goal for him to get back on the scoresheet. The energy level was up for him in the third period.

Mikko Rantanen – C

I really hated the play on the first Boston goal. Didn’t love the shot, but hated the pinch too, because he clearly saw EJ rush to the net when he was holding onto the puck. But he played with a chip on his shoulder in the third period, with a great backcheck on Pastrnak to break up a good chance, and played a big role in the puck control that led to the final three goals.

Devon Toews – B+

This guy is a freak in terms of conditioning, and his stick work is the stuff coaches dream of in the defensive zone. On one penalty kill alone in the second period, he broke up four plays in a span of 20 seconds. Just cannot say enough about how good he is.