Avs/Golden Knights Game 1 Grades: Rest is, indeed, a weapon

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – B

Bellemare’s job tonight was that of the big brother, looking over the two young wingers on his line. They had some tough, grind-it-out shifts early in the game and then didn’t get a ton of shifts later in the game together. Loved his play in the third period, trying to run this game out.

Andre Burakovsky – D

The one guy who still doesn’t look like he has it going. Was really hoping that he would get one in the third period with that nine-minute powerplay, and he hit the post, but couldn’t find the net. Didn’t mind seeing him muck it up with Hague, though.

J.T. Compher – B

The goals aren’t necessarily coming at even strength but really like the way Compher is playing right now. He’s not doing anything overly physical but getting in front of the net, mucking it up when he needs to.

Joonas Donskoi – B+

Shot isn’t much of a threat in the slot on the power play, but is really good with the puck movement and getting in front. Like most of the guys, has been getting his nose dirty in front of the net.

Sam Girard – B

Didn’t really have an issue with him getting knocked over in front of the net on the lone Vegas goal, to be honest. That’s more of an issue of being outmuscled than interference, and it happens. Really liked his game beyond that. He took a few hits, but for the most part, was able to avoid any hits just by skating out of everything.

Ryan Graves – A

Playoff Graves has been re-engaged again. The hit in the corner looked a little late and unnecessary considering Nemeth was on the guy, but the actual hit itself was completely fine. Him getting kneeled on in the third period? Not so fine. Happy that he came back because he’s playing his best hockey of the season.

Philipp Grubauer – A-

Life is rolling in the playoffs with Grubi. It took basically a 3 on 0 down low to beat him, and beyond that, he was his calm, usual self. Lots of plays that he killed by just deflecting any rebound chance out of the arena for a whistle.

Tyson Jost – B+

Another hard-working game from Jost. He got caved in but not sure how much of that was in the third period when things were well over and the Avs were just trying to get it over with. Love him dog piling on top of Karlsson to get him off his teammate.

Gabriel Landeskog – A+

Missed a pass moments before his first goal, and wasn’t missing that gift from Makar. The top line just abused the Knights all night long and Landy, once again, was at the forefront of it all.

Nathan MacKinnon – A+

Was Nic Hague mic’d up? Because I have to imagine he yelled out something much less PC than “Oh boy” when MacKinnon burst past him. The no-look shot for his first goal was possibly even more unfair. He’s a man on a mission, and they just need to stay healthy, because he’s on top of his game.

Cale Makar – A+

Makar criticized some turnovers of his own in the postgame, but I guess you can’t exactly expect him to say “I’m the greatest!”. What a freak of nature. Made lives miserable for everyone on the Knights all night long, and they just couldn’t catch up.

Patrik Nemeth – A

Possibly Nemo’s best, most complete game since coming back. Was smart with the puck, for the most part, and played heavy. Didn’t have to play overly physical, but was really good on the penalty kill in the second period.

Alex Newhook – B

Great to have him back out there, and his first shift, he of course runs into Ryan Reaves along the wall. That’s one way to get back into things. Really like how he’s playing and competing in all 200 feet of the ice.

Valeri Nichushkin – B+

The assist was pretty Nuke, as a lot of it was accidental and just happened to end up on Saad’s stick, but he was good on zone entries in game one. He did take some big hits in the first period and none of that seems to ever bother the guy.

Sampo Ranta – C

Lots of battle out there but looked a little lost at times. Not sure he had the puck on his stick for more than two seconds, which is fine. Bednar mentioned in the postgame that he got lost with Burky on the lone Vegas goal, but first NHL game in the postseason? Crazy how fast things have escalated with him.

Mikko Rantanen – A+

The backhand goal was just absurd, but he was unstoppable on zone entries all night long, cutting to the middle at will. That’s something you know Vegas is going to want to stop in game two. Can they? Because when he plays like that, he’s not easy to slow down.

Brandon Saad – B+

Sloppy moments at times in the first period, but his return has been a big boost to the depth of this team. He was acquired for what he can do in the playoffs, and he’s lived up to it for sure.

Conor Timmins – B-

Ugly turnover in the first that Grubauer had to be quick on, but other than that, liked what I saw. At one point, he battled with Reaves all shift long in the first period and didn’t back down one bit. Love to see that.

Devon Toews – A+

The Islanders are idiots. That is all. What a gift he is.