Avs/Golden Knights Game 4 Grades: Back home even

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare – D

Like pretty much everyone else on the ice, seemed to give up after the first shot just prior to Vegas’ first goal because they all thought it was in. It wasn’t but was soon after. The Knights were whipping the puck around at will on the power play goal as well that he was out there for. He is one guy, however, who seems to have some composure with the puck.

Andre Burakovsky – F

Assist on the first goal, then all downhill from there. The penalty in the second was braindead stuff. The turnovers and soft play, missed shots, it’s all adding up and not looking pretty. Vegas has attacked him all series and there hasn’t been much of a response.

J.T. Compher – B

One of the few forwards who seemed to show some fight. Gets an assist on the only goal, had a nice diving back check to save what was a great chance, and got his nose dirty. In a night of a lot of messy play, you’ll take that.

Joonas Donskoi – D

Hit the post in the third on a weird play, but couldn’t seem to catch a pass all night. Like a lot of the forwards on the team, is getting physically abused by Vegas and doesn’t seem to have much punch back.

Sam Girard – F

This is a problem. Sammy getting caught with ease while skating the puck out should not happen, and normally does not happen. I’m not going to speculate on if there’s still a lingering issue with his late-season injury, but the Avs are going to struggle if he (and Makar) continue to make puck mistakes this series. The muffin shot that led to the game-winning goal was tough to watch.

Ryan Graves – F

Well, I gave Nemeth grief for it last game, and I have to do it with Graves in this one…the Avs did not register a single shot on net with him on the ice, and only managed to attempt 3 shots in his nearly 16 minutes of even-strength time. That’s a lot of being stuck in your own end.

Philipp Grubauer – C

There’s only so much he can do. His first shot against was a great save on a 2 on 1. However, the Pacioretty goal, as nice a shot as it was, wasn’t one you would have expected to see go in at that angle. Not his fault at all.

Tyson Jost – F

Jost is working hard out there, but his line is getting absolutely destroyed when they’re on the ice. Avs only had one power play, but a Jost bad pass killed a decent zone entry. On one play in the second, he seemed to be exiting the zone instead of looking for a pass. Pietrangelo stepped in front of him, and the Avs then were stuck in their own end for another minute.

Gabriel Landeskog – F

Second straight game with zero shots on net. This is a recipe for disaster. Attempted a drop pass for MacKinnon outside his own blue line in the second period that was directly to a Vegas player.

Nathan MacKinnon – F

MacKinnon is frustrated, and at times tried to create some things, but you know it’s a problem when his body language is not great on the ice, throwing his hands in the air and things of that sort. That was on display in game four. He needs to be elite in game five.

Cale Makar – F

He’s getting shots off, and one managed to hit the post in the third, but he had SIX shots blocked from the point. This is a guy who can create his own lane, and it’s just not happening. The penalty call on him, however, was BS.

Patrik Nemeth – F

I don’t know what to say about that giveaway on the first goal by Vegas. It was pure panic. Even Grubauer is telling him to just rip it around the boards, and he just passes it to Smith. It started even before that play too. I understand he’s a big part of the PK…but I’m not sure how you can throw him back out there again with his play.

Valeri Nichushkin – D

The effort is there, but the execution is not. Had a nice chance on a rush in the third period but missed the net completely. That line is spending way too much time in their own end. They were at the best in the regular season cycling and grinding down low, but by the time the puck leaves their end, they’re too tired to do that.

Mikko Rantanen – D

Still getting his chances, and I like that he was at least willing to whip the puck at Fleury (who still doesn’t look great), but not a lot of time for him. He seemed really angry to start the game, which I kind of liked.

Brandon Saad – B

Getting his chances, and continues to just score goals in front of the net (who knew?). His calming presence in the postgame was nice to hear, as well. This is a guy who has been through this all before and knows that there will be ups and downs.

Kiefer Sherwood – F

They got their one-game burst out of him. He got outbattled on the first goal in the corner by Karlsson. I’d go back with a Newhook next game.

Carl Soderberg – F

His lack of speed is evident. I know they brought him back as depth and a veteran, but he can’t keep up in a speed series like this.

Conor Timmins – D

Again, made some nice plays, and not someone I’d take out of the lineup since he seems to have some net positive to his game. His lack of speed or skating is evident when he tries to make a move around some guys in the offensive zone and can’t quite separate.

Devon Toews – F

Flubbed plays at the blue line and inability to get his shots through in this game. Got caught in the neutral zone on a few odd-man rushes overall. Not a good evening for the big three on defense.