Avs Game 66 Grades: Angry L

Nicholas Aube-Kubel – B

I, once again, really liked Aube-Kubel, as he battled all night and had some good chances, including a nice chance in front of the net in the first. Showed some good puck control and had a nice rush up the ice and drop to Newhook in the second before Newhook’s stick exploded.

Andre Burakovsky – B-

I guess the puck on the second goal hit his skate, giving him an assist, but he was pretty decent otherwise. His shots at least hit the net, and he’s now got back to back games with multiple shots on goal after going eight straight games without it.

Andrew Cogliano – C

Just okay. That line didn’t have much in terms of offensive energy and he couldn’t seem to handle a pass. Played a pretty physical game.

J.T. Compher – C-

The overtime work aside, didn’t like his game, as he was fumbling pucks for most of the evening. Did pick up an assist on the Kadri goal, and had a nice feed to Burakovsky in the third at least. The penalty call on him was BS.

Darren Helm – C

Like Cogliano, was at least physical all night long, but what the heck was he doing on that O’Connor breakaway that should have been a 2 on 0? He just kind of peeled off.

Erik Johnson – D

Consistency in reffing is one thing, but I actually think the two calls on EJ in the third were legit. The first one, he just guessed that Brodin was going to get the puck, and he didn’t. That’s interference. And with less than a minute left, you just have to be smarter than that. Stinks because I didn’t mind his game before then.

Jack Johnson – D+

He gets bonus points for a nice hit on Hartman in the second period but even playing with Makar most of the night, he got beat up on shot share to the point where it wasn’t even close with the rest of the defenders.

Nazem Kadri – A-

He seemed to be fumbling the puck the first two periods but really cranked it up in the third period. Two face-offs won, two goals, and nearly had one right before Rantanen drew the penalty call that led to his goal. Honestly should have had him take the overtime face-off just to win it. Dominant night in the face-off circle.

Darcy Kuemper – B-

I don’t even feel like the Wild had a ton of great chances, so it’s tough to grade him, but it was a little confusing what he was doing on the game-tying goal. The game-winner was just a great shot.

Kurtis MacDermid – D

The turnover in his own end when he got stuck out there way too long was rough, but even with his improvement over the year, the staff clearly doesn’t trust him in close games. Didn’t even hit eight minutes.

Nathan MacKinnon – C-

The Wild seemed to contain his offense pretty well for most of the evening, but they couldn’t contain that fist! I have very little thoughts on the rest of his game because he was pretty blah.

Cale Makar – B-

He played almost 30 minutes total, and played with pretty much everyone on the defense, and still had plenty of chances to light up the scoresheet offensively, leading the team with six shots on goal at even strength. His defense wasn’t perfect, but better than last game.

Josh Manson – C-

They used him more on the penalty kill tonight but he looked a little all over the place on the Wild’s first goal. The adjustment between Anaheim and Colorado’s systems looks pretty big because he doesn’t look comfortable. Some…concerning reads on rushes by him defensively.

Alex Newhook – C

Too bad his stick exploded on the rush chance because it looked like a good opportunity to end the slump. He also missed a great chance on the powerplay in the first period when he wired a pass way wide.

Valeri Nichushkin – C-

The lack of hands has somehow come back these last few games, and he was fumbling passes left and right again tonight, especially on the powerplay.

Logan O’Connor – C-

He will never score again. (Ed.’s note: 38 straight games without a goal)

Mikko Rantanen – B-

Occasionally he showcases how unstoppable he can be, and he did on a rush in the second period through the neutral zone. His goal is just a showcase of his pure skill, but then he just completely ate it defensively on the game-tying goal and sure took him a while to get up.

Nico Sturm – C-

There is nothing there offensively, but he can’t be making plays like he did in the second period where he failed to clear the zone along the boards because he took too long to make a decision, and it led to a good chance.

Devon Toews – B

Sucks to get the glove whacked off your hand, but that’s what happened to him on the first goal. Seemed like a lot of bad luck for him on both goals, because beyond that, thought he was their best defenseman.