Avs Game 64 Grades: Depth missing

Nicholas Aube-Kubel – C+

For the first time in a while, seemed to have a little jump and generated a few decent chances himself. Nothing really came of it but nice to see a bit of life before he likely exits the lineup for Lehkonen.

Andre Burakovsky – D

Hit the net. That’s all.

Andrew Cogliano – B

First game in and he acclimated himself pretty well, but we’ll see how sustainable it is. Didn’t love the hit but had a great chance in the first that he couldn’t bury.

J.T. Compher – D

His game started with a terrible turnover for a two on one and then he got a great chance at the other end. Moved up the lineup but didn’t do a whole lot with it. Looked like he might have hit the post late with a chance to tie it up. Just not a lot there right now.

Darren Helm – C

He played, although I don’t remember a whole lot from him. He’s now in a battle for a spot when the team gets healthy if that ever happens.

Erik Johnson – D

About a minute after the Canucks score the opening goal, pinches at the blue line and gets caught down low for the game-winner. The missing defenders have somehow got him back on the powerplay, which we’re seeing is not ideal at this stage in his career. Worst shot share numbers on the team.

Jack Johnson – D

Was the only guy out there for both goals against, but didn’t get much help on the first one. On the second one, played the two on one really poorly, although MacK might have been able to help out a little bit more.

Nazem Kadri – C

Nice to get on the board, but his linemates are struggling at even strength, and he is forcing some things with passes that the defenders are catching. Had a good chance in the second cutting to the net that either hit Halak in the helmet or the crossbar.

Darcy Kuemper – B

Well he tried to give the Canucks a goal in the first with some poor play behind his own net but saved his own butt getting back. The first goal against was just a perfect shot and he made the initial save on the second goal, at least.

Kurtis MacDermid – B

That hit at the blue line was something we saw Zadorov do for years. Seeing his improvement gives me hope that Manson will get this figured out once he settles in.

Nathan MacKinnon – B-

Defensively, some issues and just got outmuscled on the game-winning goal. Offensively, that line is pretty much all the Avs have, and they’re trying their hardest to get the team on the scoresheet. Boy does he get whacked a lot when he carries the puck.

Cale Makar – B-

Making Hughes lose his edge looked great, and the backcheck to wait out Petterson was real nice after he lost it, but couldn’t bury his chances. Had a lot of good looks in the first and third periods.

Josh Manson – C-

The thing about this game is I actually liked Manson for most of it. He looked significantly better than he did against Edmonton. The obvious problem is another game-changing turnover that cost the team. I’m sure there’s still an adjustment but they need more, for sure.

Alex Newhook – D

A non-factor offensively, and now sitting on 15 games without a goal. Typical ups and downs of a rookie and playing with non-existent offensive players doesn’t help, but he’s the guy they need to drive play on the third line.

Valeri Nichushkin – C+

Did a lot of really nice things, and even heard him yell at the ref after taking multiple slashes, but has missed some real good scoring chances the last two games that really make you miss Landeskog.

Logan O’Connor – D

We are certainly at the point now where he is a non-factor past center ice. He had a decent chance in the slot in the first and had it taken off his stick. 36 games without a goal. Crazy.

Mikko Rantanen – B-

Like MacKinnon, had plenty of good looks offensively and created a good bit, but nothing to show for it at even strength. He, in particular, looked exhausted at the end of the night.

Nico Sturm – C

Had the nice feed to Cogliano in the first for a good chance. Also had a turnover on a good look in the second period when he got read like a book. Did just decent enough but does not create a ton of offense for himself.

Devon Toews – B

Had himself a good night, but you sure do want the Avs to get some better play from other defensemen and/or some injured guys back because he doesn’t need to be playing 28 minutes a night at this point in the year.