Avs Game 42 Grades: Can't be stopped

Nicolas Aube-Kubel – B

Loved everything about his game tonight up until the penalty. He was good on the forecheck, good on the cycle, wasn’t afraid to put the puck towards the net. Just overall difficult to play against. But the offensive zone penalties are a bit much. This one was somewhat soft, but a soft slash like that results in a turnover will probably be called, especially when a ref is 10 feet away.

Andre Burakovsky – C-

Soft play just prior to the second Kane goal by him when he had a chance to clear just isn’t good enough. I liked early in the game when he was wiring the puck at the net from everywhere, and he did get robbed by Fleury in the second, but when things go bad for him, it gets really bad.

J.T. Compher – B-

Gordie Howe Hat Trick is one thing, but that line basically spent most of their evening in their own end. He’s usually good for one goal in Chicago, and I was happy to see him throw hands. One thing I’m disappointed has never developed more with him at the NHL level is his scrappiness.

Pavel Francouz – C+

Great for two periods, and then…well, he didn’t have a ton of help. Not all his fault by any means, and he somehow still had to come up with big saves late to not let Chicago tie it because the defense fell apart.

Samuel Girard – C-

Did not like him on the wall on the powerplay in MacKinnon’s spot because Makar isn’t a one-time option for him there. Rather see them switch spots. Had a great feed to Nuke in the second for a chance that didn’t go in, but boy did he get worked on that third Chicago goal, losing the puck a few times in the corner. Got beat wide in the third for an easy chance too.

Erik Johnson – D

This is a theory based off nothing, but EJ went from playing no hockey the last two years to playing a lot to start this season. I’m not sure anyone would have bet on him being the Iron Man on defense to start this year. Maybe fatigue has set in a bit, because there’s been a dip after a solid start. The break could be good for him.

Jack Johnson – C-

The struggles with the puck were on display, as some misplays and failed clears played a role in a few of the goals that went in. Generally plays hard and can’t fault him for any of that.

Tyson Jost – C+

Solid work on the Compher goal from behind the net to set him up perfectly. Lots of tripping penalties were taken in this game and he was one of the culprits. I’ll take any offense you get from him, though.

Nazem Kadri – A-

Offside by a nose hair again that disallowed a Newhook goal, but he made up for it a bit later with the perfect saucer pass to Newhook on the huge fourth Avs goal. Guy is about to hit his career high in points before we even hit the All-star break.

Gabriel Landeskog – B+

Landy has always had a deceivingly strong slapper, but we rarely see him using it on one-timers on the powerplay, so his goal was somewhat alarming. His second goal was about as Landy as it gets, going to the net and having it hit something on his body and go in. The fourth Hawks goal was about as flukey as it gets, bouncing off a million skates before hitting Landy’s and going in. Didn’t really love that line at even strength, though.

Kurtis MacDermid – C

A little more what we’re used to seeing him do on defense, with some extended stays in the defensive zone resulting in some chances, but nothing much came of it with him out there.

Cale Makar – B+

Almost had himself another highlight reel goal in Chicago when he danced DeBrincat in the second period, only to be stopped by Fleury. That didn’t stop him from another two-point night, as that pair was the only acceptable one for the whole evening. Had some solid plays at the defensive blue line to go with the points.

Mikhail Maltsev – B

Not sure anything too dangerous happened offensively when he was out there, but I loved his game and was happy to see him get some shifts in the third period, because that line was really the only thing with any energy in the first 20 minutes.

Alex Newhook – A

Gets a shot in the top six and does not disappoint. One goal taken away but that couldn’t keep him off the scoreboard, as he got one later in the game. Could have had another point, as he made a great feed to Burakovsky in the second for a chance. Staff trusts him defensively as well, as he was out there late to hold onto the lead, even taking a late face-off.

Valeri Nichushkin – C+

Was hoping for a little more from him on that top line, but they really only had a few extended shifts in the offensive zone. Yet again, finds himself on the positive end of shot share.

Logan O’Connor – B

The first period was the most active I’ve seen him in a while, with a shorthanded breakaway and another chance. After that, his game dipped a little bit but did find his way back onto the scoresheet on the Compher goal.

Mikko Rantanen – B-

Thank god nothing serious looks to have come from his spill into the boards in the second, because it looked worse than it turned out to be. Picked up a few assists in the third period but didn’t love his game overall. Didn’t love his overall shot selection.

Dylan Sikura – B

Wasn’t a huge fan of the call-up in general, but beyond one flubbed play in the defensive zone in the third period, he had a solid night and didn’t hurt the team much. That line had some good shifts in the offensive zone.

Devon Toews – B-

Finished a -2, which is unheard of in his Colorado career, but had the best shot share numbers on the defense overall. I was a little shocked he didn’t get put on the first powerplay unit with them putting Makar on the wall but they must like him running the second unit.