Avs Game 42 Grades: Buh-bye, Arizona

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – D

Fourth line rode the struggle bus tonight, with Bellemare carrying the worst shot share on the team. Both of those shot attempts were at least his, but not much offense coming there. Got beat up in the face-off circle.

Andre Burakovsky – C

One of the only guys in the secondary that had some good chances, including a post in the first period and then a nice chance late. Not much good to say about the depth tonight.

J.T. Compher – C

Had some jump at times in this game, and the coaches are using him for pretty much every big face-off on the right side. Looked better away from the fourth line.

Joonas Donskoi – D

After a ridiculous hot streak, Donskoi has gone cold again. It was bound to happen with the shooting percentage he was rocking, but the offense has slowed down a little bit. Was out there for the powerplay goal from the Coyotes.

Samuel Girard – B

One of two guys who really carried the defense tonight, but even then, it wasn’t perfect. Spun himself into a very dangerous hit in the first period but came out of it just fine to make a beautiful play to set up Saad. It really felt like it was he and Makar carrying the load on defense.

Ryan Graves – D

Really disliked his game. After a great game against Anaheim a few nights ago, he’s followed it up with some tough ones. Getting caught up ice and some turnovers in his end. Like the nastiness at the end of the game, though.

Philipp Grubauer – B+

Definitely a good thing that he was rested for this one because the Coyotes came out firing. Was back to being super calm in net, with the one standout being a shorthanded save that was in his pad, but he acted like it was never an issue.

Tyson Jost – C

Nice to see him pick up another assist, this one off a face-off win, but beyond that, didn’t like that line a whole lot, and Bednar seems a little unsure what to do, partly because the second line has ghosted. Never seen him really take a full-on one-timer but tried it in the second period.

Nazem Kadri – D

Great that he drew another penalty, even if he sold it a good bit, but nothing is working for him right now, and he seems to be making it harder on himself, with behind-the-back passes to no one. No goals in 12 games now.

Gabriel Landeskog – B

Always there when things get rough, and like he did all of March, picked up another point. The top line was the only line consistently going.

Jacob MacDonald – F

Even before the hideous puck to the face, it was a struggle for him, and he just could not get it going at all. Seems to be slowing down a good bit after looking great initially.

Nathan MacKinnon – A

Really makes you wonder why we haven’t seen more of the one-time bomb from MacKinnon this season, as it’s been working the last 10 games or so. Absolutely abused another player on the powerplay, putting it between their legs when he didn’t even need to, just to embarrass them. Great play on the Rantanen goal.

Cale Makar – A-

Big blunder on a drop pass on the powerplay but felt like he had his legs all night long and was using them. Really was jumping up in the rush, and a lot of times leading it, and his edge control on the Rantanen goal was crazy.

Keaton Middleton – F

Unfair to him, because he’s been thrust into this position, but clearly does not belong at this level.

Valeri Nichushkin – D

Thought Nuke would be a horse carrying the second line, but instead, found him to have a rather pedestrian night where not a whole lot happened with him. Think his only chance was a weak turnaround slapshot in the first period.

Liam O’Brien – D

Sure hope the Soderberg acquisition means this experiment is over. That’s all I’ll say about that for now.

Mikko Rantanen – B+

Straight up angry Mikko at the end of the game, as he had enough of it all. Coyotes were clearly taking runs at him, as Mikko was shooting for the hat trick late. Love seeing him shoot so much.

Brandon Saad – C+

Great backhand goal in front, and a really smart play to back off the coverage into an open spot for Girard to find him. After that…he kind of disappeared again, but big goal to get things started.

Devon Toews – C

Started out great but faded as the night went on, taking a penalty late in the game and then a turnover on the second goal. Played over 10 minutes in the first period alone. Nemeth is needed to help some of these guys on the back end.