Avs Game 73 Grades: Stars shine

Nicolas Aube-Kubel – A

It wasn’t just the two goals (which are very nice). It was the hard backchecking through the neutral zone and the strength to hold some defenders off the puck. Very impressive game for him.

Andre Burakovsky – B

I didn’t like him much to start the game, and still not quite sure how he didn’t finish the great feed from MacKinnon in the second, but apparently the key was just hitting the net, because his goal was a bit of a softy.

Bowen Byram – A

Well, that’s the impact he can have, and we saw it a lot early in the year. A dominant shift to start the game, where he picked up an assist, then another assist on his second shift with a great rush and drive. Could have had another when Burky missed in the second.

Andrew Cogliano – B

His seven seconds of pain was one of my favorite parts of the game, where he slid into the net, picked himself up, got out, and immediately got hit by a point shot.

J.T. Compher – C

He didn’t even have to play that much because the game was over pretty early. Played the least among everyone. Basically a night off with zero shot attempts to boot.

Samuel Girard – A

Boy is his puck movement great to have back. Some great breakouts early in the game to set the tone, and even got a little nasty behind his own net with Lizotte, who he can actually match up against.

Darren Helm – B-

A 15-minute game for Darren Helm. Tonight was good living.

Erik Johnson – A

Bednar rotated his Johnsons, resulting in EJ getting out of the press box. Strong first shift where he picked up an assist, and even though it was a pretty clean hit, liked seeing angry EJ go after Roy for the hit on Byram. He’s precious cargo.

Darcy Kuemper – B-

I don’t know how you rate this game. Kings surged a bit in the second period, and the rebound on the first goal was bizarre, but beyond that, for the other 40 minutes of the game, sure seemed like a quiet night.

Artturi Lehkonen – A

Two assists and boy does that power play look good with him and Nuke on puck retrieval.

Nathan MacKinnon – A+

Five points in barely over 15 minutes, with a hat trick to go with it. That’s efficiency and a nice low-minute game for him late in the year. Didn’t even touch the ice after his hat trick.

Cale Makar – A+

The stretch passes are ridiculous. Not just the pass to MacKinnon for his breakaway goal, but he hit someone in the second with ease about 60 feet away. A shorthanded breakaway goal would have been sick, but the powerplay that followed was a thing of beauty.

Josh Manson – B

Nasty physical play most of the night and apparently is quite the hoot on the bench. Starting to settle in nicely.

Valeri Nichushkin – A

Hits 20 goals for the first time in his career, and really just wonder now how you can afford the guy this summer with these numbers. You know some team is going to come calling with dumb money, but hopefully it doesn’t even get that far.

Alex Newhook – B

Had his chances, including a rush in the third period, but picked up his assist on the second NAK goal. Had a great shift early in the game, only to get off the ice just before the goal was scored.

Logan O’Connor – C+

On a night when everyone seemed like they could score, LOC seems just so far away. Had a chance in the third period in front and shot it pretty far wide.

Mikko Rantanen – B-

The puck movement on the powerplay between he and MacKinnon was tremendous, but he seemed to have issues corralling the puck a few times. Had an assist taken away so guess he hasn’t hit his career high…yet.

Nico Sturm – B

Five shots on goal, so he was certainly looking to get his first with the team, but couldn’t bury it. Another great night in the face-off circle.

Devon Toews – B

Lost Kempe on the first goal but otherwise a good night, and quite frankly, I can’t remember when Toews has played under 20 minutes in a game for the Avs. (Ed’s. note: It is the third time. The first two came in Toews’ fourth and eighth games in an Avs sweater last season)