Avs Game 69 Grades: Not nice

Mark Barberio – D

Barberio played forward again in this one, and I’m not sure why. The Avs scratched two forwards to do it. He barely played, at five minutes, and that’s with MacKinnon missing the final half of the game.

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – B

Bellemare grinded it out in this one. His goal was flukey as can be, but that’s why every coach in the history of hockey just wants players to shoot the puck.

Ian Cole – D

Cole picked up one of his random assists in this one, but I felt he was a mess most of the night. He got completely walked by Kempe in the second period but was bailed out by the post. Lots of rough pinches from him.

J.T. Compher – D

First line J.T. Compher, here we go. He was already stretched thin in the role he was forced into, but if he’s now on the top line, we’re in trouble, because some games he’s very noticeable and then others, like tonight, he’s a ghost.

Kevin Connauton – F

The own goal was bad enough, but just a rough game from Connauton, who I thought was, for the most part, fine in the previous two. The end to end rush attempts in the third period were a bit much as they led to nothing other than dump ins and clears by the Kings.

Joonas Donskoi – C

A nice pass to Nichushkin to spring him for his breakaway that drew a penalty shot, but other than that, a pretty quiet night for him.

Pavel Francouz – B

Hard to really blame Francouz for this one. He made some great saves, including a breakaway stop in the second period, but the Avs just did nothing offensively. Not a big fan of him diving headfirst at the puck in the third with Grubauer already out.

Samuel Girard – C+

Girard was fine in this one, but I was wondering when he would get called for cross-checking this year, as he’s been doing it kind of a lot with a lot of success. He couldn’t get away with it this time. He had a play in the second that was frustrating where he basically walked down the slot and had an open shot, but attempted to pass it off, and no one was ready for it. In a game like this, you have to let it rip.

Ryan Graves – F

Woof. We may have witnessed one of Graves’ worst games of the year. He was kind of sitting around doing a whole lot of nothing on the first Kings goal, and then got the puck taken off him for the one that sealed it. Tough night.

Erik Johnson – C+

EJ probably had the best legs of all the D in this one, but still had some ugly moments outside of the good ones. He was definitely rushing it up a lot, even if it didn’t lead to a ton all the time. Had the errant pass that led to a breakaway for the Kings.

Vladislav Kamenev – D

If there’s a time to step up, it’s now, and it’s not happening. He has flashes but they’re too few and far between. Lost the face-off just before the Kings’ second goal.

Tyson Jost – C-

Jost wasn’t terrible in the one, but that second line again has alternated between visible to invisible, which isn’t totally surprising since they’re all playing above where they really should be. Jost has taken a couple of huge hits along the boards the last two games and looked to be in some pain.

Gabriel Landeskog – C+

Could we be looking down the thought of Landeskog moving to center? It wouldn’t surprise me. He was okay tonight, probably one of the better forwards overall, but not at the same level as before.

Nathan MacKinnon – INC

I could grade MacK, as he wasn’t having a good game, but instead, we’re all just going to hope he’s okay. A long-term injury for him would be pretty ridiculous.

Vladislav Namestnikov – C-

Namestnikov is banged up, as confirmed by coach Bednar after the game, so it’s not a surprise to see him struggle a bit. Did make a nice tip pass to MacKinnon for his breakaway in the first but disappeared after that.

Valeri Nichushkin – D-

I thought Nuke was a mess for 98% of this game. His mini-breakaway was the lone standout from a game filled with uncharacteristic turnovers and mistakes by him defensively.

Matt Nieto – C+

Nieto had some OK moments in this one, but the puck has fumbled off his stick a few times the last couple of games when the Avs have needed it. He was at least good along the boards tonight.

Logan O’Connor – C-

O’Connor had a good chance in the third but Quick got it with his glove. Other than that, a pretty quiet night for him overall. Lost a few battles along the boards down low.

Nikita Zadorov – C-

Z made his return to the lineup in this one. I like when he skates with the puck, and he did it a few times tonight but also took a penalty. Saved a goal late in the game. He looked a little timid early on in this one, trying not to screw up, but got more physical as the game went on.