Avs Game 51 Grades: Collapse

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – C

The fourth line was…whatever. Bellemare had a nice shot block on the penalty kill on a Burns shot that got the puck out, but beyond that, there was little that line did to make you feel good about it in their first game.

Andre Burakovsky – B-

Another great goal. That line was probably the Avs most consistent the entire evening. At times Burky would drift to the left wing after playing there the last few games, but once again, he scores on his off-wing. Penalty late was a real buzzkill.

J.T. Compher – D

Probably the guy who should be creating the energy on that fourth line with the youthful legs, but that part of his game has basically been non-existent all year long.

Joonas Donskoi – C

He is getting some good looks in the slot on the powerplay but just not finishing them. I do certainly like him there more than Compher as he’ll get in front of the net. Did some dirty work on the Jost goal but that line felt up and down. Let that royal road pass get by too easy on the game-winner.

Ryan Graves – C-

Another penalty very far away from his net just isn’t going to make the coaching staff happy.  I get on him for not being physical enough, so I guess I should be happy with the hit, but the guy didn’t have the puck, so what can you do?

Philipp Grubauer – C

Big breakaway save right before the 2-0 goal to give the Avs a boost, but then they go and give up a ridiculous chance at the end of the period to kill any momentum. Had a nice glove save in the first period as well. Better than the previous game for him, but need him to find that mojo again before the playoffs.

Tyson Jost – C+

Great goal, and play to take his time on the backhand. Had another odd-man rush that he airmailed over the net, unfortunately. Did find that line getting stuck in their own end a bit more than usual.

Nazem Kadri – B

As one could expect, had a lot more jump in his game after getting a goal the other evening. He seemed to adjust to the wing just fine and made a nice play on the Burakovsky goal. I do wonder how long that lasts, as he took more and more face-offs as the game went on.

Gabriel Landeskog – D

The top line was pretty bad, without any real jump all evening long, and Landy’s penalty led to the game-winning goal. Their shot share numbers were good but that’s just what they do on a nightly basis.

Nathan MacKinnon – D

The first Sharks goal was a complete breakdown all around, but just not a great backcheck there. The penalty he took was the refs wanting to take the game in their own hands, it seemed, as he took a stick to the face and wasn’t happy. He left the ice early on his first shift and didn’t seem to have any jump all night long.

Jacob MacDonald – B

It was nice having MacDonald add a dynamic factor to the third pairing that’s been lacking. Some of it can be bad but liked his game overall, for the most part. Had a tough moment on a 3 on 2 early in the game but he added some spark to the team from the backend.

Cale Makar – F

Probably should have backed off when Toews got caught pinching on the first Sharks goal, but instead pressured and got beat pretty badly. Just got caught trying to front the shot instead of taking his man on the second goal, and it cost him. The mistakes were just too big to ignore.

Patrik Nemeth – C

Smart shot on the Jost goal, to keep it low and shoot for the rebound. Unfortunately, he was brought in to help the PK, and that hasn’t really shown so far. Like Donskoi, had a role in that royal road pass on the winner getting across with ease.

Alex Newhook – B

For a first NHL game, not bad. Didn’t do anything super dynamic, but liked his game and the coaches showed some faith in putting him out there for defensive zone face-offs. Had a nice stick lift defensively after losing the puck in the neutral zone. Let’s keep seeing what he can do.

Valeri Nichushkin – D

Nuke has turned into a bit of a turnover machine lately, and have noticed him taking some big hits in the last 10 games or so, which we aren’t used to seeing. Not really loving his game over the last few.

Mikko Rantanen – D+

Of the top line, liked him the most overall, but still not at the level it needs to be. Whiffed on a backhand on in the slot on a chance early in the game that he normally buries.

Carl Soderberg – D

Moved to the fourth line, and turned out to be a complete non-factor. Both he and Bellemare on a line together isn’t a whole lot of speed, and as I said on Twitter, that line could really use a Logan O’Connor right now.

Conor Timmins – B

Another solid game, other than missing the puck and eating it on the breakaway just prior to the second Avs goal. It worked out, though, as he picked up an assist. Had some nice plays in the offensive zone, and showed some confidence staying down low for a while.

Devon Toews – F

Uncharacteristically bad pinches all night long, as he was caught up ice a good bit. That pairing controlled the puck with so much ease the other evening that it seemed like they took their foot off the pedal.