Avs Game 59 Grades: Sour ending

Nicholas Aube-Kubel – C

I want more out of Aube-Kubel in terms of offensive generation, because he’s the most skilled guy on the fourth line, but we aren’t getting it right now. No shot attempts and played a whopping 20 seconds in the third period, so he’s got to do something to impress the staff.

Andre Burakovsky – D+

Best moment of his night came in the second when he hit MacKinnon for a mini two on one with Rantanen that went off the post. Beyond that, he looked soft. One shift in the third, he got outmuscled along the wall twice in a span of 10 seconds. He did sprawl out to block the point shot, but if he’s not creating offensively (zero shots on net), he needs to be better at the other end.

J.T. Compher – C+

Really strong game on the penalty kill, which ups his grade, and actually had some chances offensively, particularly in the second period. He was blessed to be born with a right-handed shot to get on the ice late in games because the Avs have better options there otherwise.

Darren Helm – B+

A baller game on the penalty kill. Hard work throughout the 60 minutes and drew a penalty in the second period to top it off.

Erik Johnson – C

Had just a horrendous start to the game, with some bizarre decisions with the puck, including a behind-the-back pass in the high slot of the defensive zone. After that, he settled down a bit and was great on the PK. Part of the team that helped the Avs punch back after the Canes came out physical.

Jack Johnson – C

Didn’t notice any brutal defensive giveaways like most of the other defenders had early in the night and held his own against a great team considering the Avs were without their #3.

Tyson Jost – D

Has more or less gotten pushed off the penalty kill, getting only 39 seconds of PK time, and took a penalty of his own late.

Nazem Kadri – B

I get why he was upset late in the game. It’s a shame because he played great. Was one of the few Avs who seemed to have legs early, and had plenty of great chances in the second coming down the wing and putting the puck under defenders’ stick for a shot. Happy the Captain went to bat for him afterward.

Darcy Kuemper – A-

The goal against stunk, but the Avs came out of the gate playing like a hot mess and Kuemper kept them in it. Some great saves early, including a mini-breakaway in the first 20 seconds.

Gabriel Landeskog – B-

Looked like a tired man with the empty net, because that puck decision on the empty-net goal against was one you make from pure exhaustion. Before that, he played really well, leading the team with seven shots on net. He finally lost it post-game, and kind of happy he did.

Kurtis MacDermid – C-

Was a mess in the first few minutes of the game, with bad passes and turnovers, and then turned it around…a bit. Once again, as is tradition when he’s back on D, failed to pass even 9 minutes of TOI.

Nathan MacKinnon – B

Could have easily had a few points, hitting the post himself and setting Mikko up for a good shot off the post in the second, but it was not meant to be tonight. Had a solid night in the face-off circle too.

Cale Makar – C

Carolina really keyed in on Makar at even strength, as he went the entire night with no shots on net at 5 on 5, which is rare for him. Some slip-ups here and there defensively as well. Just happy he appears to be okay after that awkward collision in the third period.

Ryan Murray – C+

Beyond getting completely burned in the first for a breakaway, he played really solid. His game is starting to come together a bit at the right time.

Alex Newhook – D+

Not even a shot attempt on the night for Newhook, as he was held at bay by a great team. Was also the only Avs player to really take a beating in the face-off circle.

Valeri Nichushkin – C

Didn’t love Nuke’s game at even strength, as Carolina seemed to hold him off on a lot of zone entries, poking the puck right away from him when he’d try to chip it around them. That didn’t allow him to get forechecking. Did love his penalty kill game, though.

Logan O’Connor – B+

It seemed like tonight would be the night where he got one, because he had some good shots in the second period, but it wasn’t meant to be. Played with great energy at both even strength and on the penalty kill.

Mikko Rantanen – D

His first 10 minutes were a disaster with the puck, and even though it improved later, not to the extent that you want it to. Hit the post on a nice feed from MacK, and had a shot blocked on the penalty kill by Slavin in a good spot.

Devon Toews – C

Surprisingly, the Canes got past him a few times with their skating, which is tough to do against Toews. Like a lot of the team, his start to the game was unpleasant and wasn’t able to be the difference-maker he usually is.