Avs Game 8 Grades: Spooky dub

Andre Burakovsky – C

Still can’t hit the broad side of a barn, but a great pass on the Landeskog goal. He left the game in the third period with a lower-body injury, and the only thing I saw happen to him was him taking a weird, awkward tumble after the EJ goal.

Bowen Byram – B-

Liked Byram’s game, but didn’t love it. In the second period, he got caught on some questionable decisions in the neutral zone, but still love his confidence. He was flying in the first period and loved the rush to set up Jost. The hit in the third was scary stuff, but he seemed to be okay unless something popped up post-game.

J.T. Compher – C

That line created pretty much nothing at even strength, but JT still managed to pick up two more points, and of course was the guy tasked with moving up to the top line when Burakovsky went down. He’s got 8 points already on the year, tough to really top that.

Samuel Girard – C

Just nice to have him back, and didn’t make any glaring mistakes, which he was making a lot of to start the year. He did seem to be avoiding hits a good bit, but he tends to do that most of the time, which you take if it means he’ll be avoiding injuries. He’s been taking a few too many big hits this year.

Darren Helm – C

Hit the crossbar in the first period, but that line, for being a fourth line, was way too high event most of the night, and Helm spent a lot of time in his own end.

Erik Johnson – B+

Just a complete warrior shift from him in the second period on the penalty kill that really helped turn the tide, as the Avs were on their heels most of that period. Blocked a shot, threw a big hit, and the next time he was on the ice, scored the game-winning goal. You love to see it.

Jack Johnson – C

So his fancy stats were really good, but just some up and down stuff out there. Brutal giveaway in the second nearly led to a goal against and struggled to clear the puck on the penalty kill, which led to the Avs spending the full two minutes in their end. Then you have him playing Kaprizov really well along the wall and you see the flashes.

Tyson Jost – C+

I feel like we haven’t had Jost’s breakout game yet this year. He’s been okay, but nothing to write home about yet, and we haven’t seen the guy we saw the last half of the year just yet. Loved seeing him just take some punches from the Wild players after crashing the net, because that’s when he can be his most effective.

Nazem Kadri – B

Whatever line Kadri was on felt the most consistent from start to finish for me. Not the highs, like MacK’s line, but just solid stuff all around. Obviously the powerplay goal was huge because the rest of the power play was not good, but nice to see him rewarded, as I’ve liked his start.

Martin Kaut – C

Just a pretty nothing game from Kaut. There was only six combined shots on net with him on the ice, and three each way. He’s working hard but tonight, nothing much was created.

Darcy Kuemper – A-

Perhaps from start to finish his most consistent game of the year. The Avs definitely didn’t have it going in the second period but he stood tall and was great on the penalty kill (just before the Wild scored). I think everyone cringed when he looked to be in pain, but think he just took a stick to a not-so-fun spot.

Gabriel Landeskog – A

Didn’t love Landy’s overall game, but on a team missing so much talent, I’m not going to argue with four points in this one. I hated the penalty.

Jacob MacDonald – B-

Just a wild man out there, but I just love that he’s always moving. Versatility is a huge thing in the cap world, and he can bring that. It’s funny he was out there for only seven shot attempts and five of them were his. He was the only driver on his line.

Nathan MacKinnon – A

In the first, it really looked like he was going to crank it up, as he was putting it between Wild player’s legs for shots and dominating them in the corners. It didn’t really carry over the entire game, but he made his presence felt with the game-changing hit on Brodin to set up EJ. We’re getting hints of dominance but the full game hasn’t appeared yet.

Cale Makar – B-

Loved him on breakouts, and even when he’s at the end of his shift, he can still skate the puck out with ease. Bad bounce on the only Wild goal against as his clear couldn’t get out, but got running around a bit and let that pass get through to the slot on the goal.

Jayson Megna – C

The staff sure trusts him a ton, as he played more ES than guys like Compher and Jost, even though he was on the ice for a ton of shot attempts against. Did throw a nice, big hit in the first period to start a breakout.

Ryan Murray – C+

Puck work isn’t always there, but one thing I’ve noticed is he has a really good stick defensively. Started a breakout with a poke check last game, and did it again tonight.

Logan O’Connor – B+

At this point you know what you’re going to get with him, and it’s great effort all over the place. Didn’t see him as much after he got his breakaway from blocking a shot but seemed to be fine, and let the Avs in shot share numbers.

Sampo Ranta – B

The first period was as well as I’ve seen Ranta play in the regular season. To my surprise, he set up a few plays with some nice vision, including a nice delay and drop to Ryan Murray in the neutral zone. Think he faded, like most of the team, after the first period, but a good game from him.