Avs Game 68 Grades: Slump-busting win

Andre Burakovsky – B+

Got back on the board, which was nice to see, and no surprise that it comes in front of the net, which is where a lot of goals from this point on are going to have to be scored. Beyond that, the line dominated on the ice and gave up very little.

Andrew Cogliano – B-

Had a nice chance on an odd-man rush that he kind of shot right into the goalie’s chest, which is going to happen with him. Strong again on the penalty kill, with a big shot block in the second that looked like it hurt.

J.T. Compher – C

Hit the post or crossbar in the second period trying to go short side while his sister was talking on Altitude. That would have been something. Lost the face-off cleanly on the Sharks’ second goal.

Pavel Francouz – C+

Seems like every game, there’s one goal where you’re thinking you want that back. The second goal is the one in this game, and it’s doubled down by the fact that he froze the puck just prior to that on a rolling dump-in, which forced the face-off in the offensive zone with tired legs.

Darren Helm – B

What better way to stick in the lineup than to go bar down when your team needs you? Great shot on his goal and his hit along the boards is what forced Karlsson to kind of chip it softer than he wanted to.

Erik Johnson – B+

Is showing up more on the scoreboard of late, including a few more assists against the Sharks, and when he was on the ice, the Avs spent the majority of the time in the offensive zone.

Jack Johnson – B-

There was a couple of shifts where he was really wheeling and dealing in the offensive zone, moving around a lot and getting involved. It really didn’t create much, but he’s moving a little better than I anticipated.

Nazem Kadri – A+

Could have had a heck of a lot more goals, as Kahkonen robbed him in the second period on a two-on-one rush. Took a nasty looking hit that I wouldn’t be surprised if the Avs give him a few nights off from, but came back and picked up the key assists on the game-winning goal and insurance goal.

Artturi Lehkonen – B-

Came very close to his first point with the Avs on a great feed to Kadri, where he was super patient, but a great save stopped that. It really says something that he jumped into the lineup and has the immediate trust of Bednar, playing almost 18 minutes and moving up to the top line in the third period.

Kurtis MacDermid – B

He was having himself a banger of a game if not for whatever the heck he did on the first Sharks goal, as he and Manson had no communication and followed it up with horrendous defensive work. Beyond that, though, he was great, with a massive hit in the first period and even a primary assist.

Nathan MacKinnon – B-

Got the crowd out of their feet in the second period with a rush up the ice where he put it through the defender’s feet but got stopped. Didn’t have to have a great game, which doesn’t matter, because the fact that he was playing was great news in itself.

Cale Makar – B

The poke check in the third period on Couture was incredible for many reasons. One, he didn’t look concerned at all. Two, he was barely trying, almost toying with Couture to think he’s got a chance. And three, it was as clean as can be.

Josh Manson – C+

The lack of communication with MacDermid on the first Sharks goal was bad but he proceeded to cover no one in the process, so it doubled down. I did like him getting super-physical with Couture next to Francouz at one point. The only sub-50% skater tonight.

Alex Newhook – B

Great of him to get on the board when they really needed it and had few other good chances to pick up some more. Defensively, like everyone, he looked a little discombobulated on the first Sharks goal but great to get him back on the scoresheet regardless.

Valeri Nichushkin – A

In the third period, Nuke turned it on and became the best player in the world for several minutes. The glove down and pass to Helm on his goal, the rush up the ice where he skated through everyone on the Sharks, and another great look on a two on one a little bit later. He did it all…except score.

Logan O’Connor – B-

Took a bump in the neutral zone early but recovered to finish the game. He had some good looks, once in the slot in the second period that he, predictably at this point, put into the goalie’s chest, and a nice-looking spin-around shot in the third.

Mikko Rantanen – B

We saw angry Mikko at the end of the game right after sniper Mikko got the game-winning goal. He’s heating up…

Nico Sturm – B+

Loved his game. Didn’t score at all, even with a mini breakaway in the third period, but did a lot of great work all over the ice with his stick, and great on the forecheck just prior to the Newhook goal.

Devon Toews – B+

The Avs numbers with him on the ice are almost comical, attempting 38 shots in his 23 minutes of even strength time, with 21 of them hitting the net. With ridiculously heavy minutes, he dominated play with 70% shot share.