Avs Game 75 Grades: Offense from everywhere

Nicolas Aube-Kubel – B

Great play on the Newhook goal just to chip it past the defender, beat him to the puck, and make the play. The type of stuff that gets you noticed, and part of why he’s gotten a good look on the third line for a while. Soft play on the wall on the first Staal goal, unfortunately.

Andre Burakovsky – B

Great play along the wall on the first goal to set things up, and a beautiful pass on the second Compher goal. Had a two-on-one rush with Makar and I couldn’t tell if Makar just whiffed or if the defender got a stick on the pass.

Bowen Byram – D

It was a struggle, and both he and Jack Johnson looked like they didn’t have much in terms of chemistry. They tried Byram on the right side, but didn’t seem to be any consistency with where these guys were. Just not his best game, particularly defensively. He was kind of covering no one on the Aho goal.

Andrew Cogliano – B

Continues to be everything the Avs asked for in terms of pure hustle and grit. Seems to be always around the net and probably was a great linemate for a rookie in his first NHL game.

J.T. Compher – A

Two goals and had chances for a few more. Had a nice chance late in the first in front of the net amongst the chaos, but it was started because he was put out to win the face-off and did just that. Only issue was he was super high on the Aho goal and not quite sure why.

Samuel Girard – B-

I just continue to really like that pairing. They got stuck out there on some extended shifts but are playing pretty well together, and you can see Manson is talking a lot to Girard on the bench to get an idea of how to play with him.

Jack Johnson – D

Got back into the lineup and it was not a good showing at all. One game is not going to change it all, but the kind of game where you really take into account how nice it would be to have a right shot on the third pair.

Artturi Lehkonen – C

A relatively quiet night overall and one where he was generally caved in defensively, which is weird. His best play came when he intercepted a pass in the defensive zone to spring a two on one.

Nathan MacKinnon – A

The spin goal was sick, even if it did need a lot of luck, but just love the first goal of his. Banging at a puck right in front of the net is what he may need to do in the playoffs in a few weeks. He doesn’t score a ton of goals like that, so I just like seeing them.

Cale Makar – B

Staal’s soul left his body on that hit, which was pretty perfectly timed. That’s the sneaky anger we see out of Makar every once in a while.

Josh Manson – B-

Failed to tie up Staal’s stick on the second goal of the game, something they’ll need from him with what he was brought in for. Not a fan of the penalty but I think it’s something you just have to live with when it comes to him.

Ben Meyers – A-

He got a nice schooling on face-off play on the second Hurricanes goal, but beyond that, really impressive showing and one that makes you kind of sad that he can’t play in the playoffs. His speed is perfect for the system, and he showed some confidence with the puck, especially down low on the cycle on his third or fourth shift. First NHL goal on your first shot, not too shabby.

Valeri Nichushkin – A-

How do you even explain that the guy from two years ago, who always had his head down and you didn’t expect offense from, can make as ridiculous a pass as he did on that Rantanen goal? The transformation has been insane.

Alex Newhook – A

He was wheeling and dealing the puck from the opening face-off, hitting Compher on his goal, hitting Byram in the slot not much later, and then getting rewarded with a goal of his own. Great showing.

Logan O’Connor – B

Follows up his best showing in a long time with another really strong showing. Great play on the Meyers goal.

Mikko Rantanen – A

That’s more of the Mikko you want to see. Put one of the best defenders in the NHL in Slavin in a blender in the second period before a feed to Toews for a great chance. Only down part of his game was when he and MacKinnon nearly killed each other on a collision early.

Nico Sturm – B

I think he was super high on the breakout on the first Canes goal, so would like to see him a little lower for support, because it was chaos after the turnover. Beyond that, another strong night.

Devon Toews – A-

The patience and chill from him to walk the line on his backhand on the second Compher goal was something else. Could have had his own patented Toews goal in the second period where he just sort of sneaks in down low, but got robbed.