Avs Game 67 Grades: Big boy win

Nicholas Aube-Kubel – D

Aube-Kubel is not a left winger, we learned that tonight. Anytime the puck would come to him along the wall in the defensive zone, he would flub the play. This is one of the main reasons why Bednar likes guys playing their strong side.

Andre Burakovsky – B-

Didn’t do a ton offensively, but one thing I loved about him was his commitment to defense on the backcheck. He broke up a few plays just by getting back and putting his stick on the ice to break up some cross-ice passes in the neutral zone. That’s at least making a difference in a positive way.

Andrew Cogliano – B-

The shot share numbers were horrendous, but if you look deeper, nothing much hit the net, just a bunch of shots wide. Had a really nice clear on the penalty kill late where he supported behind his own net and made the clear out. Also had a nice clear on the 5 on 3.

J.T. Compher – C

Had a nice attempted rush up the ice in the first where he got a better shot off than I would have expected, and then after that just kind of faded away into a purely defensive role.

Darren Helm – C

Had a nice shot block on the PK off his hand. Beyond that, didn’t really notice him much and kind of feels like Cogliano is doing everything he’s doing just a little better.

Erik Johnson – C-

I didn’t love his game. It wasn’t pretty at all. In fact, he was one of the guys actually on the ice for a good amount of shots on net against. But he battled and is playing above his head with all the injuries. Sliding all over the place on the 5 on 3.

Jack Johnson – C-

Boy did the Avs spend a lot of time in their own end with Johnson out there, and yet, I feel like he has more trust from the staff than EJ at the moment, so will be interesting to see what plays out if this team gets healthy.

Nazem Kadri – B

Started the game off with a bang with a big hit on Backlund. Didn’t love the penalties late, but he also drew the penalty on the game-winning goal and created it with a great zone entry and shot.

Darcy Kuemper – A

With the amount of high-end players the Avs are missing, they needed their goalie to stand on his head, and he did that against Calgary. The only goal that beat him hit his own guy and went in. Besides that, he was perfect, and some big saves at the end of the first period.

Artturi Lehkonen – B-

Good first game to get introduced to the team. Didn’t notice him much in the first half of the game, but was noticeable in the second half. A nice play to breakup a chance on the 5 on 3 before the shot went off him and in, but good forechecking work in the third and a great rush to the net. Made a lot of smart, simple passes.

Kurtis MacDermid – C+

He had actually a decent play where it looked like he was going to get beat wide in the second but he recovered to catch up. Only problem was his clear got knocked down and he fell over, so a great chance against occurred. Once again, did not play much.

Cale Makar – B

Another game where he closed in on 30 minutes total, but he was more solid defensively than not. He looked a little uncomfortable at times along the wall on the power play but did enough to get the job done.

Josh Manson – B+

To me, that was his best game so far. Physical along the walls, and I really only hated one of his pinches in the neutral zone and that was in the second period. He was brought in for these exact types of games and delivered.

Alex Newhook – C

I think he and Lehkonen could really work together, but he didn’t create a whole lot tonight. He was strong defensively, however, and that goes a long way in a game like this that is tight checking.

Valeri Nichushkin – A

Two goals and still could have had more if those hands were fully working. Still, he’s a tank and the top line was the only line to consistently spend time in the offensive zone. The second goal was a really tough pass to handle and he was ready for it.

Logan O’Connor – C+

Didn’t come close to scoring, but some strong work on the four on four he got an opportunity on, and his best play of the game was on a late penalty kill when he supported down low into the slot to deflect a pass away from the Flames bumper.

Mikko Rantanen – B+

He was nasty without going over the line, which can sometimes be his problem. Gudbranson was mad at him after the first Nichushkin goal because Mikko outbattled him in the corner to get the puck back a few times. Stepped up when they needed him.

Nico Sturm – B-

I thought he was going to go missing forever when he went down late, as it looked like bad news for one of his arms, but he found himself out there late throwing his face in front of pucks. Didn’t do anything offensively, but seems like a guy Bednar already has a ton of faith in. Good on the penalty kill again.

Devon Toews – B

Funny enough, I didn’t like him in the offensive zone, but in the defensive zone, he was their best player. Seeing him laying on the ice late in the game was worrisome given the guys they are already missing, but he seemed to be okay.