Avs Game 64 Grades: Road Warriors

Mark Barberio – B

Playing his first game in over two months, Barberio snuck into the lineup…as a forward?!? He hasn’t looked great on defense this year, so it’s probably not a stretch to say this was his best appearance of the year. He was particularly good in the first period. He is extremely popular in the lineup and works hard, so it’s nice to see him get a game.

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – B

Bellemare had a good night, particularly on the penalty kill. He also won every single face-off he took in this one. You literally cannot do better than that.

Ian Cole – C-

Cole had some super iffy moments with the puck in the second period, including when he put the puck near Francouz’s feet that led to a chance. But like Bellemare, he had a strong night on the PK.

J.T. Compher – C-

So this is a theme in that he did well on the PK, but that line barely entered the offensive zone in this game. The Avs are finding ways to win, but it’s kind of remarkable that the Avs only registered two shot attempts in his 11 minutes of even strength time. Had a brutal icing in this second where he just didn’t get to the red line.

Joonas Donskoi – D

Donskoi was basically a black hole of offense in this one. No shot attempts individually, two shot attempts total for the Avs with him out there.

Pavel Francouz – B+

The final second goal is just whatever, but another really good game from Frankie, and he seemed to be catching the puck better with his glove. I think the Avs got a little lucky on the goal that was disallowed, but you take it.

Samuel Girard – B

If Sam could have just gotten a little more on the puck in the first period, he would have had goals in back to back nights, but Saros kept his leg on the ice and stopped him. Sam does a lot of heavy lifting getting the puck out on that pair and is a great outlet for EJ.

Ryan Graves – C+

Hit the post in the second period after making a nice play to just wait the defenders out until he had a lane. I don’t like him being up on the Preds’ first goal and letting a forward get back, and it did burn the Avs on that one, but he was also really good on the PK.

Erik Johnson – A

EJ has slowly started to come on in terms of jumping in offensively and got rewarded tonight. Loved the give and go with him and Landy on the first goal, and it was nice to see him get his first goal since early October. The penalty on him seemed pretty blah.

Martin Kaut – A-

At this point, it’s going to be hard to send him back, regardless of the contract. Another goal in this one on a great shot and he was calling for the puck. Took a big hit in the third but seemed fine. Some hard work along the boards. The Avs also can’t send him down because he’s their good luck charm.

Tyson Jost – B

Another good one from Jost, as he’s now got points in three straight games. Maybe he’s just a guy who doesn’t want to waste his energy until the final 1/4 of the year? Some tough luck on the Preds’ first goal for him.

Gabriel Landeskog – A

My dad theory is holding strong, as Landy finished off his best month of the year with a beautiful goal in this one and more hard work down low. The first three months as a dad are difficult. Those first three months ended at the start of February, and he had 12 points this month.

Nathan MacKinnon – C-

MacK had a chance to get off the struggle bus in the third but flubbed a wide-open shot with an empty net on the power play. It was your standard MacK game where he gets his attempts, but nothing is coming easy at the moment.

Cale Makar – B

Makar nearly went end to end before the Preds got their first goal of the game as he just walked through the entire Preds team but couldn’t finish the backhand off. Did pick up another assist on Kaut’s goal, as he started the rush to Jost.

Vladislav Namestnikov – B

For the second straight game, he was promoted to the top line after the first guy there struggled. Showed off his serious hockey IQ in this one, with some smart plays and good work defensively. So far, I’m a fan.

Valeri Nichushkin – C-

I thought Nuke was awful the first half of the game. Took a bad penalty in the first and had issues with the puck. The staff moved him off the top line and he looked a little better until he turned into a monster in the last ten minutes.

Matt Nieto – C+

Nieto had some smart chips out of the zone in this one, and that’s what he can give you. Not a flashy player but is very dependable and good on the PK.

Logan O’Connor – C+

Another good effort from O’Connor, who stepped into the lineup after it looked like he was sent down last night. Had a nice chance in front of the net in the first and just missed.

Nikita Zadorov – C

Other than a few shifts in the second period that were iffy, the third pair gave the Avs solid, low event minutes in this one. Z made some nice plays defending off the rush in this one, and that’s where he’s at his best.