Avs Game 44 Grades: Huh?

Nicolas Aube-Kubel – C

A very quiet game, to the point where I’m not sure I even noticed him. Very limited ice time and low event.

Andre Burakovsky – D+

Uggggh. THE FRUSTRATION! The pass to Rantanen was beautiful, but it came after he got bailed out by Kuemper after getting burned in the defensive zone. Made a decent pass to Sikura on a two-on-one that nearly connected, but then followed it up with a turnover at the blue line that led to the Coyotes’ first goal. Then a disastrous turnover in the third.

J.T. Compher – B-

Didn’t mind Compher at all tonight. That line had a great shift in the third period that produced some chances overall. Had a decent night in the face-off circle. Not getting in front of Chychrun’s shot on the tying goal will probably hurt on tape.

Samuel Girard – C

Some sloppy moments in the defensive zone but didn’t produce a ton of offense at the other end. Did not like when he and Makar were together.

Erik Johnson – B

A nice game for him to bounce back before a well-deserved break. Was really strong on the PK in overtime. The fact that he’s made it this far into the season healthy is a great sign moving forward.

Jack Johnson – B+

Loved JJ’s game tonight. Didn’t take anything from the Coyotes, who were trying to stir things up. Threw a nice hit at the offensive blue line to separate a man from the puck, and blew up O’Brien when O’Brien was trying to hit him. That’s what he’s in the lineup for.

Tyson Jost – C+

Decent process, and continues to just draw penalties left and right (although I think the one on Crouse was iffy). His one decent chance in the slot came after he fumbled the initial play. That’s his game in a nutshell.

Nazem Kadri – C+

Fantastic goal, and great read on the steal, but a tale of a couple of games for him, with two penalties in the first period. Got bailed out by Kuemper when he lost his man in the defensive zone early. Surprisingly got smoked in the face-off circle.

Darcy Kuemper – B-

The Coyotes didn’t get a ton of high-end chances, and they don’t have high-end finishers, but the goal by Galchenyuk didn’t feel great, given the momentum of the skater and the way he was going. Played alright overall.

Gabriel Landeskog – B-

The top line completely dominated in terms of shot share but was unable to break through as a trio. Process-wise at even strength, they did a lot of good things, but the powerplay was horrendous, so much so that that line got benched to start the second period in favor of unit two.

Kurtis MacDermid – C

Threw a nice hit on the forecheck in the second period. Beyond that, I barely noticed him, and he played under seven minutes.

Cale Makar – C-

Powerplay was a mess overall, and he is obviously a big part of that. The lock of the century has been Makar getting a powerplay point in every game, but not against Arizona, of all teams. Had some decent looks in the second period. Now gets to go enjoy his all-star break.

Mikhail Maltsev – C

A relatively quiet game from him, although he made some smart, safe plays. I think he’s done enough to stick around, and his size on the fourth line may be more important than Helm’s speed, but we shall see.

Ryan Murray – B

First game in forever and he actually managed to get some great chances, sneaking in late for the Avs only real even-strength chance in the first, and rushing up the ice again in the second period for a shot on net. Have been underwhelmed by him when he’s played but liked him against Arizona.

Valeri Nichushkin – B-

Obviously wasn’t intending to trip Ladd in overtime, so that one just stinks a bit. Dominated with the shot share numbers, and while he had some good looks, his shot attempts left a lot to be desired and Wedgewood had some easy glove saves.

Logan O’Connor – C

More of a quiet game for him after a great outing in the previous game. Going into the All-star break on a 16 game goalless drought, but given this is his first full season playing an NHL schedule, wonder if fatigue has set in a bit.

Mikko Rantanen – B+

Mikko doesn’t always look great when he picks up a few points, but he still finds ways to produce. The catch and release on his goal was fantastic, and he almost managed to pick a puck out of mid-air for another one in the third. Powerplay stumbles hurt him as well but he fired the puck at the net a ton.

Dylan Sikura – C

A late call-up but didn’t provide the same spark he did the other evening. No shot attempts, but was on the ice for more good than bad, even if he wasn’t driving it.

Devon Toews – C

Hit the post late on a rare defenseman breakaway, in what would have sealed the win. Instead, the overtime loss stings a bit. Avs crushed it with him out there, but he’s just seemed a little off the last week with the heavy workload.