Avs Game 5 Grades: Capital Punishment

A four goal outburst in the first 9:25 of the game was just the start the Avalanche needed in Washington, as that red hot start gave them a nice cushion as they held on to beat the Washington Capitals by a score of 6-3.

Erik Johnson – A-

EJ played a ton, almost 27 minutes overall, with varying degrees of success. Naturally, he was out there for a lot of shot attempts at both ends of the ice and finished with only a 40% CF, but he got the party started with a nice, smart low shot in the first period to kick off the Avs goal-scoring extravaganza.

Cale Makar – B-

Picked up an assist to keep that point streak going, but also made some very risky plays at the offensive blueline, one that led to a 2 on 1 the other way and another that led to a rush. Like his partner Zadorov, they saw their ice time cut significantly in the second half of the game, but Makar managed to be on the ice for five shot attempts towards the Caps net, and none towards his own end in the final period. Not bad.

Matt Calvert – B-

The fourth line did a lot better tonight and just quietly went about their business in this one. As long as they don’t get caved in with shot attempts every night, they’re doing just fine.

Valeri Nichushkin – C+

Had a few nice rushes up the ice, and also had a few plays where he would get stripped of the puck very easily, which shouldn’t happen with a guy his size. Had his best chance at a goal so far, with a nice chance in front of the net that was stopped, and a rush chance that he missed the net on.

Nikita Zadorov – B

The big man showed off his skill and skating on his goal, jumping into the rush and then doing (albeit slower) a spin move before ripping it past Holtby. He was out there for three goals against the Caps, and two in his own net, so a lot going on with him, but ended with the best possession numbers on the team at 65%.

Tyson Jost – A-

Back at center, and improved in the face-off circle tonight, winning 43% of his face-offs (yes, that’s an improvement). A great read on the Nieto goal and that turned the momentum for the rest of the game, which the Avs desperately needed. Positive shot metrics are a good sign for him.

Colin Wilson – B

A quietly solid afternoon for Wilson. I didn’t like him on the power play when he got out there but played well at even strength. He’s a good grinder with Jost.

Ryan Graves – B-

I really didn’t like seeing Graves follow behind Zadorov, who was already giving Rantanen a breakout option, on the first Caps goal, because Graves left a guy behind him all alone. It ended up costing the team there. Beyond that, he was solid, although he did get caved in with shot attempts at only 39%.

Ian Cole – A

Honestly, a +3, 60% CF, and almost 16 minutes of ice time isn’t a bad start to your year coming off double hip surgery. Him jumping into the rush on the Johnson goal helped create space for EJ.

Nathan MacKinnon – A-

Honestly, I liked his game more today than in the last few. He had a dominant shift in the second period where he helped control the puck in the offensive zone for over a minute. Ho-hum, another two points for him. If he actually beats a goalie with a shot instead of these empty net/tap-ins, I think the floodgates will open.

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – C

Bellemare was fine today, with nothing particularly great standing out, but his face-off struggles continued, and he lost a key face-off just before Ovechkin’s goal made it interesting late.

Samuel Girard – B

He had a really tough first shift of the game with an icing and a turnover, then settled down after that. Had a shift in the second period where he just controlled the puck all over the zone for at least 20 seconds, but another one of those instances where he needs to let it rip sometimes. The Capitals took some runs at him and he seemed unphased by it.

Joonas Donskoi – B+

I loved the pass to Kadri for the third goal. A long pass across the entire width of the ice that hit Kadri perfectly in stride, allowing him to just skate in and beat Holtby. The type of skilled pass the Avs has been looking for from their depth players for years.

Matt Nieto – B

The unsung hero at it again, picking up the big goal late (although Jost did most of the work). Other than that, just a quiet workmanlike game from him.

Nazem Kadri – A

He got pounded in the possession game, but when you put up three points and play a major role in three goals, you get an A. Very smart play to pull up and create space for EJ on the first goal, and a beautiful goal of his own later. The type of game that hopefully just continues to build his confidence in an Avs sweater. Production at even strength was needed.

Gabriel Landeskog – A-

The effort and IQ to dive and swat the puck to Rantanen for his goal is something very few other players on this team can think to do. Just a great game for him overall, and that line, while they didn’t seem to do anything spectacular while watching, were quietly dominant when on the ice.

Andre Burakovsky – B+

I’ve been very impressed with his patience with the puck, and he got his night started right with an assist early in the game to calm the nerves. A successful return to D.C. for Burakovsky with another three shots on net. If he keeps ripping the puck at the net with a consistent basis, things will be just fine.

Mikko Rantanen – A-

The minus comes from the brutal turnover on the first Caps goal. Other than that, he was awesome and picked up another three points. Just another day at the office for the Big Moose.

Philipp Grubauer – B

We thought he was over the poke check, but it came back not once, but twice in the second period, and the Caps seemingly knew it was coming both times. Other than that, he did his best work in the second half of the game, which has been a theme for him this season.