Avs Game 53 Grades: Sweep

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – C

Super low-event game from the fourth line. Out there for a goal and then a goal against. Picked up a free assist when Makar decided to go to town on Toews’s 2nd goal. Bellemare looks way better with two speedy wingers, which he had tonight.

Andre Burakovsky – B+

Quite literally the only secondary scorer producing with any consistency at the moment. That’s concerning because the rest of the guys aren’t scoring, but Burky is always the wild card beyond the top line and he’s still managing to produce with new linemates all the time.

J.T. Compher – B-

Felt like Compher had a lot more jump tonight, and although not all of his passes connected, his vision was on tonight looking for teammates. Got lucky on the first goal with things just working out with Toews, but he was at least looking to make a play.

Joonas Donskoi – D

No shot attempts and things have gone really cold with him. It’s been a long time since he scored a goal, and not really creating a whole lot either.

Ryan Graves – C-

Managed to stay out of the box, but was the only defenseman to finish under 50% in shot share, even with the score-adjusted. More shots getting blocked again, including another decent chance in the first that he took too much time winding up for.

Jonas Johansson – B-

Made a few nice saves going side to side, but beyond that, didn’t have to do a whole lot. Both goals seemed savable but were also good scoring chances. If all goes according to plan, only will play one more game this year.

Tyson Jost – C

Had a great chance in the third that Petersen made a great glove save on. Beyond that, didn’t do a whole lot, and got eaten up by Kopitar a few times, which happens to the best of players. That line dominated the shot share but no goals created.

Nazem Kadri – C

Robbed on the power play by Petersen, but Petersen challenged so much on that shot that I wonder what was available on the backdoor. Donskoi tried to feed him with the empty net but it got stopped and then chaos continued in the Avs’ end.

Gabriel Landeskog – C

Didn’t love his game, but did love the trash-talking on the bench. That’s the stuff we just don’t get to see much from Landy in terms of the camera catching it.

Jacob MacDonald – B-

Still a wild horse out there, with a nice rush that led to a backhand shot in the first period, and then some sketchier moments later on. The Avs record with him in the lineup is pretty crazy, and they’ve started winning again with him back in.

Cale Makar – A+

Took over the game again without MacKinnon, a luxury that most teams just don’t have. The pass to Toews on his second goal was world-class. Monster performance.

Jayson Megna – B

Actually really liked what he did, and he can do this in spurts. Was interesting they just threw him onto the penalty kill immediately too. The speed difference between him and Soderberg is noticeable.

Patrik Nemeth – D

The man can’t make a pass to save his life, but he’s generally pretty solid in his own end. That being said, was out there for both of the goals against and while he challenged Vilardi on the first goal, he still had time to make the pass.

Alex Newhook – C

Loved his start but he faded at even strength and wasn’t super noticeable until the third on the powerplay. The penalty was one you probably don’t hate, given the scoring chance, but he managed to draw one himself. Was getting ice time late in the final minutes, so he has earned trust pretty quickly.

Valeri Nichushkin – C

Had some nice deflections early in the game, including one that snuck through Petersen’s pads, but no one was there to finish it off. Pretty quiet game overall beyond that, and that line was probably the Avs’ weakest.

Mikko Rantanen – C

The offensive zone penalties have got to stop, although Doughty looked to help out on that one. Great pass on the Makar goal and had a nice rush in the second period that resulted in a good chance.

Kiefer Sherwood – D

Lost his man on the opening goal, and one of the few nights where he created zero shot attempts.

Conor Timmins – C+

Felt like he was hot and cold. You can see the confidence growing offensively, which you love, but had some sketchy moments leaving the defensive zone that led to some extended zone time for the Kings. Has stepped up big time, however, with the injuries.

Devon Toews – A

What a dynamite game and I was really hoping to see a hat trick from a defenseman tonight. You could tell he wanted it too. Both goals were just perfect shots. The confidence from Toews to jump in on his second goal, knowing that his defensive partner already has jumped in, is incredible to see.