Avs Game 57 Grades: Breaking of the dam

Nicholas Aube-Kubel – D

Interesting that he got some shifts on the top line late in the game when Burakovsky got hurt because I wasn’t a huge fan of his night. Had a shift in the second with multiple turnovers in the defensive zone that led to chances for the Islanders. Been a while since he’s had a consistent game.

Andre Burakovsky – C

Pretty quiet game overall, but made a nice play on the second Makar goal to get it back to MacKinnon. No shot attempts but again, MacKinnon took them all. Left late and hopefully not a big deal as he was finally heating up.

J.T. Compher – B+

Only had one shot on net, but made it count with a great shot on what was a pretty difficult cross-body one-timer. Credit to him for that. Had some key blocked shots as well.

Pavel Francouz – C-

Didn’t really get tested much through the first two periods (played well, however), but when things got wild in the final 10 minutes, boy did things get shaky. Team in front of him looked shaky too but buzzer might have saved a meltdown the way things were headed.

Samuel Girard – C

A little bit better tonight but still not perfect. The wild slide in the first period when Toews got called for a penalty, and an ugly turnover at the defensive blue line in the second, but also some good moments. Hit Kadri for a mini-break in the first and joined MacK on a two on one after breaking up a play in the defensive zone.

Darren Helm – B+

Not sure why he was taken out of the lineup last game, because he’s been the most consistent guy on the fourth line of late. Nice game, had some decent chances offensively, including a takeaway and rush on the penalty kill in the second.

Erik Johnson – D

The week clear on the first goal was pretty rough, as was the penalty in the second when he lost an edge trying to do a little too much, but still pretty surprised to see him play so little. His game has not been trending up of late and maybe a night off to rest and reset would be good.

Jack Johnson – C+

Really liked him at even strength. He was jumping in offensively in the first and playing well in his own end, but did not love him on the penalty kill.

Tyson Jost – D-

The embellishment call was a strange one for sure, but Jost struggled at both even strength and on the penalty kill. Not easy playing with a bubble.

Nazem Kadri – B

Two assists, and like we’ve said many times before, could have had even more points. Got stopped on a breakaway in the first period and hit the post in the third on an odd-man rush. Got stuck running around a bit late defensively but another great game. That line had some heavy shifts offensively.

Gabriel Landeskog – B

Great presence of mind to hit MacKinnon for his goal on a wild play, and great feed on what turned out to be the game-winning goal by Toews. I do not get the penalty call on him. He’s allowed to stand at the blue line.

Nathan MacKinnon – A

He was lax in the first on a few shifts with some passes in the defensive zone, but then turned into a mad man. You knew eventually he would bury one, but elite play to hit Makar for his goal as well. Ice those wrists.

Cale Makar – A+

You knew it was going to be a good night when he sprung MacKinnon for a breakaway on his first shift of the night. Nice to see him get back on the scoresheet with a few goals, and had some incredible defensive reads in the neutral zone, particularly in the second period. Bednar looked like he didn’t trust his other defensemen late as he was riding the Makar/Toews pair.

Ryan Murray – B

Played more tonight than he has in any game this season, so he’s gaining some trust from the coaching staff. Had another solid night, and found his way onto the second pairing partway through the game.

Alex Newhook – B+

Another great game, and really coming into his own. Drew the penalty that kick-started things in the third, made a great feed to Compher on his goal and then stole a puck in the defensive zone for a breakaway of his own. Things are falling into place.

Valeri Nichushkin – C+

A quieter night offensively for him, with no shots at even strength, but fed Kadri for a near goal in the third, so he was involved a bit. Got stuck out there for a few goals against.

Logan O’Connor – B+

That game was more like it. The forecheck leading to the Compher goal was perfect, and he got involved physically, standing up for himself in the second period after a hit from behind.   Had a few nice chances of his own but can’t bury one right now.

Mikko Rantanen – D

Don’t love seeing him get knocked off the puck again by a much smaller player like he did in the first period, and hate seeing a penalty 200 feet away from his own net late when you’re trying to hold onto a lead. Seems like he’s holding back a little bit, which I don’t hate because it’s a long season and you don’t need to go crazy every night.

Devon Toews – C+

Had a really rough first period, although the penalty on him was a strange call. Think he got it together in the second period and obviously picking up the game-winning goal against the team that traded you away has got to feel good.