Avs Game 56 Grades: Heavyweight battle

Nicholas Aube-Kubel – D

He was on the ice for one shot attempt, and it was his shot attempt in the third on an odd-man rush where he got a good shot off in the slot. Fourth line has not provided enough, to the point where it’s just a rotation of guys playing there.

Andre Burakovsky – B-

At five on five, he didn’t produce a lot in terms of shot generation, but that’s because MacKinnon took control with that. Another beautiful shot for a goal on the powerplay and all of the sudden, he’s rolling.

J.T. Compher – C

Nice chance in the first period on a rush, but unfortunately he completely airmailed the shot on a mini-breakaway. Had some decent attempts but was one of the guys stuck out on the extended shift in the first for the second Flames goal.

Pavel Francouz – A-

Came in and did everything to give the team a chance to win it, but got beat by a guy whose crushing it right now in overtime.

Samuel Girard – F

Times are tough for Sam right now. He wasn’t the only one to turn it over on the Flames’ second goal, but his clear up the middle wasn’t accurate and led directly to the goal. Also had several other rough moments, including a turnover for a great chance in the second, and a flub on the point that Makar had to bail him out on prior to the Avs’ third goal. Been a while since he’s had a great game, to be honest.

Erik Johnson – C

A couple of plays died on his stick in the offensive zone, but quite honestly, nothing much happened with him on the ice. The actual shot numbers with him out there were pretty low.

Jack Johnson – C

Had a tough game in terms of shot share, but against a team like that, expected more physical play from him. Did have a nice stand-up of Gaudreau in the third at the blue line.

Tyson Jost – D-

I feel bad because he took a puck to the face late and looks like he might be in a bubble for a while, but not a good game. A clean face-off loss and about three seconds later, the Flames tied it up at one early. Line didn’t get any real zone time offensively.

Nazem Kadri – B+

Bednar was really riding that line late, and you could tell it’s a trio he’s wanted to stick together for a while. Another strong game from Kadri with two assists (loved the give and go with MacK). Could have been the hero late with a great chance in the slot that got stopped.

Darcy Kuemper – F

Boy did he look deep in his net on the first goal. Bednar said he didn’t look great, and I’d agree. Tough night to not be on your game, although they weren’t all on him.

Gabriel Landeskog – B

Got the party started early and played a solid game throughout. A 30-goal season already and making Sakic look great by upping his offer to keep him around.

Kurtis MacDermid – INC

Nice fight at least. Must have gotten sick of just sitting on the bench and said if I’m going out, going out with a bang.

Nathan MacKinnon – A-

Got caught sleeping on the overtime goal, but otherwise played a great game. Big goal and looked hyped after it, and could have had the hero moment late with a great burst to feed Toews, but Toews muffed the shot pretty badly. Loved seeing him and Z talk trash to each other at a face-off in the second period.

Cale Makar – A

Tried really hard to take over the game, making the great defensive play to stop a rush and then break it out on the MacKinnon goal. Had plenty of other great chances himself, and lots of attempted backdoor feeds, including one that Kadri missed pretty badly in the third period.

Ryan Murray – B

I go back and forth with him. He had a few icings that were kind of ugly, then some good breakouts to go with it when he was moving his feet. Nearly banked one off Vladar in the third period. Telling that he got more even strength time than EJ and JJ.

Alex Newhook – B-

I can see why getting this guy some linemates at the deadline might be a priority because he’s not working with much at the moment. Great feed on the Burakovsky goal but his skill and creativity doesn’t have much to work with in the role he’s in right now.

Valeri Nichushkin – A

Comes back and is an absolute monster from the get-go, picking up two assists and nearly had a third in the third period, when his forecheck created a great chance for Kadri. Really a driving force on the team right now.

Logan O’Connor – C

Had a nice chance off a blocked shot on his breakaway. Failed to convert but drew a penalty. Unfortunately, he kind of countered that by taking a penalty of his own just a few minutes later.

Mikko Rantanen – C-

Overall, not a bad game by any means. Lots of shot attempts, and was robbed on the powerplay with a one-time shot at one point. The issue, however, will be the play in overtime, where he was outmuscled by a much smaller player, only to have the Flames go right down and score. Based off their overtime history, I probably would have put Nuke out there with MacK.

Devon Toews – B-

Great play on the Burakovsky goal by standing up the forward, causing the turnover, but also played a role in the Flames second goal, as his terrible pass behind his own net is what started a lot of the chaos. Had a chance to bury an easy goal late and missed it.