Avs Game 7 Grades: Revenge of the goalie

Bowen Byram – C

Rough start to the game, with two ghastly turnovers on his first two shifts in his own end that led to some chances for the Rangers. Settled down a bit after that but got caught on a pinch here and there. Avs team defense wasn’t great.

Andrew Cogliano – B-

Great hustle on the shorthanded goal by O’Connor. Sure, it was misplayed by the goalie, but the pressure by Cogliano helped create some urgency there.

J.T. Compher – C+

The penalty call on him really seemed like an optics call. I didn’t see much of a hook, more of Compher just being a little stronger on his stick in front. Compher did have some looks but at some point, they’re going to need some offense from him.

Alexander Georgiev – A+

The only thing beating him tonight was great passing plays by the Rangers where the Avs defense just completely broke down. He read every single one-time by Zibanejad and got across in time for all of them, and played with swagger that the Avs haven’t seen in net since Varlamov. Magnificent game for him.

Samuel Girard – C–

Just a great look prior to the Rangers second goal that he sailed wide from a really good spot. That led to the rush the other way and him sliding (and missing) a pass, which took him out of position. A badly forced pass by him on the powerplay led to an easy clear for the Rangers as well.

Dryden Hunt – C+

The penalty on him was quite soft and an obvious makeup call after the flubbed high-sticking call in the first period. He’s pretty good on the forecheck, so I can see why they went out to get him. They could stand to play that fourth line a little more this early in the year.

Erik Johnson – C

Had some nice breakups on the penalty kill, which is a far cry from what we’ve seen for the most part to start the season. Had a really nice backdoor look for Rantanen early in the third period.

Martin Kaut – INC

He didn’t hit the 5 minute threshold, which is disappointing. The fourth line had some good shifts. He had a decent look in the second period after Maltsev drove the net but it hit the chaos in front.

Artturi Lehkonen – C+

Got absolutely smoked by Trouba in the second period, but didn’t seem to bother him. He did have some good shots and looks at the net at even strength, but wasn’t able to finish any of them. Finished the game on the second line, so we’ll see if they try to switch up that top line for the weekend. Did have more hard work in the corners that helped get the puck back on another powerplay goal.

Mikhail Maltsev – C+

Did well in the faceoff circle, winning all three of his faceoffs, and had a great drive to the net from behind that caused some chaos. That’s the sort of stuff Bednar will want to keep seeing from him.

Nathan MacKinnon – C+

He’s over-extending his shifts, especially late in the game, which might be part of the reason why Fox knocked him down so easily on the tying goal. In overtime, he didn’t look very good. But at the same time, he’s the only offense the Avs are getting down the middle and I wonder if that’s leading him to push a little more with longer shifts. He was robbed a few times on some really good looks. Avs controlled the majority of the play with him on the ice.

Cale Makar – B-

Avs dominated with him on the ice, controlling 67% of the shots on goal. Had a really great defensive play on the penalty kill against Zibanejad, who’s much larger, by just poking the puck off his stick for an easy clear by the forward. The shots aren’t really coming yet at even strength.

Josh Manson – D

Not a good game at all, but that second period was horrendous. Multiple turnovers in the defensive zone led to great chances and his teammates taking penalties. Then he took a penalty of his own when he made a risky play in the neutral zone and got caught reaching (yes, there was a bit of a dive by Panarin).

Alex Newhook – C-

This was unfortunately like his first few games where you barely notice him on the ice. Had a good deflection chance early in the game, but after that, he was pretty non-existent.

Valeri Nichushkin – B

Just never is going to stop scoring, I guess. Great tip to get the party started. Ended the game with MacKinnon and was easily their best forward in overtime, which probably shouldn’t be the case.

Logan O’Connor – B-

Nice to see him get on the board with a big-time shorthanded goal and some nice patience to wait out the defender in front and the goalie. The PK, outside of the one kill in the second period where Georgiev had to bail them out, was a little better.

Mikko Rantanen – C+

What a weird game from Rantanen. Could have easily had multiple goals, but was robbed, including that breakaway in the second period where he did everything right. Also had some ugly turnovers and he is just not good at 3 on 3 overtime hockey. It doesn’t seem to fit him very well. It’s just tough to bag on that line too much when they’re the only consistent line creating pressure. Made the shootout look too easy.

Evan Rodrigues – B

He’s starting to get used more on the penalty kill and did an OK job at it. The shootout goal was a thing of beauty. The shot missed the net terribly, but a great look to set up Girard on the play right before the Rangers tied it.

Devon Toews – B

Great to have him back and he looked steady as ever, especially on the penalty kill, where he was struggling before his injury. He was particularly good on the penalty kill in overtime, intercepting multiple passes to kill plays.