Avs Game 52 Grades: Blender brings results

Andre Burakovsky – B+

It finally happened. The post at the end of the game against Detroit must have been the hockey gods saying “alright, that’s the end of it.” Even before the goal, he was moving well and carrying the puck with confidence. The thing about the goal is it wasn’t even close to the best chance he’s had in a while, but you take it.

J.T. Compher – A-

Loved JT pretty much from the get-go. He was cycling the puck really well and the Avs played great with him on the ice. The penalty was tough, but beyond that, he played fantastic.

Pavel Francouz – C-

His rebound control has never been great, in my opinion, and the struggles have been on display the last few games, kicking out rebounds all over the place. He wasn’t tested a ton after a really tough first period but kept it together.

Samuel Girard – C+

Failed to pick up the stick of Connor on the first goal, but played well beyond that. Had a really nice sliding breakup on a rush in the second period, almost the opposite of what happened last game. Only defenseman to finish sub-50% in shot share.

Darren Helm – D

Really tough first period, and barely played beyond that, but salvaged it a bit with a nice steal and break shorthanded.

Erik Johnson – B-

Have written it down here before and will do it again, but a game in which you don’t notice EJ a ton, at this point in his career, is a really solid one.

Jack Johnson – B

More physical play and actually some nice passing to move things forward. Joined the rush at one point but couldn’t corral a pass for a good chance.

Tyson Jost – D

Like Helm, a really rough first period and barely played after that. The first period was enough for Bednar to scrap that fourth line for the rest of the game.

Nazem Kadri – B+

Hit the post in the first period off a great feed from Nichushkin, and you thought it might be a rough night overall, but that line really grinned all evening long and you can see why Bednar wants to see what they have down the stretch.

Gabriel Landeskog – A+

Someone had to start the comeback, and you just knew it would be Landy. A terrific game overall, and came close to even a few more goals. Seven shots on goal, 10 shot attempts, just another terrific game from Landeskog, who can play quite literally anywhere.

Kurtis MacDermid – F

Threw a nice hit in the third period when he was released from his cage on the bench because he looked lost on the wing in the defensive zone in the first and sat for most of the game.

Nathan MacKinnon – A+

14 shots on goal is wild, particularly on 16 shot attempts, as it shows how well he was getting the puck through. His first goal was classic MacKinnon where he takes the defender wide and lets his shot go far side. We’ve seen it before in the playoffs his rookie year, in the outdoor game last year, and again tonight. Dominant game.

Cale Makar – B

Didn’t love his first period, as he failed to box out Svechnikov on the second Jets goal and he looked like he knew it. After that, he was Cale, and had some dominant shifts in the offensive zone. Barely spent any time in his own end after the first.

Ryan Murray – B

Let Dubois get a couple of shots off on the first goal with a little too much ease, but played well after that. He’s really a lot more aggressive than I expected him to be offensively.

Alex Newhook – B+

You can tell the coaching staff has gained a lot of trust in him, as he was double shifting quite a bit with MacDermid sitting most of the night. Liked his game once again and continue to like his effort defensively. Only mess up was the turnover on the shorthanded goal by the Jets.

Valeri Nichushkin – A

I have no idea what kind of contract Nuke is getting this summer, but it’s looking like that price tag is only going to keep going up. He’s showing off playmaking skills no one could have seen coming just a year ago. If not for a post, would have had a three-assist night.

Logan O’Connor – C+

Had some good forechecking moments in the game but also really flubbed one offensive chance in the slot that he was making look easy just two months ago. Like Burakovsky, just needs something to go right for him to sneak a puck in.

Mikko Rantanen – A-

Hey look, three more assist for him. A bit of a no look pass on the first Landy goal to give Landy some more time to cut to the net, and he and MacKinnon swapped spots on MacK’s second goal, as it’s usually MacK up high. He was, once again, an angry guy, going at it with Morrisey late and was his usual cross-checking self most of the night.

Devon Toews – B+

The read on the shorthanded goal was questionable, especially since those reads are rare with him, but bounced back in a big way. Great sticks in the defensive zone, particularly on the penalty kill and joins the rush every single shift. On the Burakovsky goal, it happened just about 10 seconds after Toews had led another rush in for a good chance. He’s everywhere.