Avs-Predators player grades: Boot Scootin' Boogie

A 5-0 Avs victory in Nashville today. Just like we expected. The grades:

Mikko Rantanen (B) – Had an assist, but no shots on net and his line really didn’t touch the puck a whole lot today. But, no, they didn’t really need to.

Nathan MacKinnon (A+) – Two cannon-blast goals from the left circle, both one-timers. He set the tone early in the game with that first goal, though it’s important to remember that was the only goal in the game’s first 34 minutes, 41 seconds.

Gabe Landeskog (A) – Great goal late in the second that made it 3-0 and seemed to make Nashville throw in the towel. A give-and-go down the ice with Sam Girard, with Landy finishing. Beauty.

Alexander Kerfoot (A+) – Continuing to play better. Scored his 11th of the year in the second to make it 2-0 and added assists on two other goals. Arguably his best game of the season. Can’t come at a better time.

Carl Soderberg (A) – Two more assists for Carl. A five-point road trip. Not bad for two games. Also won 6-of-10 faceoffs and was excellent on the PK.

J.T. Compher (B) – No points, one shot on net, lost 7-of-10 faceoffs. But he battled and played well defensively.

Tyson Jost (C) – I guess I didn’t love his game. I mean, not terrible, but only played 12:04 and didn’t get a shot on net and puck-possession numbers weren’t great. Just gotta keep workin.’

Sheldon Dries (C+) – Only played 11:13 and didn’t have the puck much. But he did register four hits. He only flew in on the morning of the game, too.

Andrew Agozzino (C) – Not a whole lot to talk about. Didn’t do much offensively and lost 4-of-5 faceoffs.

A.J. Greer (C+) – Only played 7:49. Was just kind of there, but he certainly didn’t embarrass anybody. Still needs to work on skating a bit.

Sven Andrighetto (B) – A pretty nice game for Sven 10. Had an assist, skated well. He’s played better of late. I didn’t say awesome, just better.

Matt Calvert (B+) – Had a real nice game on the PK, playing 2:53 of short-handed time. He’s one of the guys pressuring the puck more at the point, to good results.

Erik Johnson (A-) – Blocked six shots, was pretty smooth with the puck throughout. He’s been a lead guy in helping the Avs out of the abyss.

Sam Girard (A) – Great assist on Landy’s first goal. Not great Corsi numbers, but that’s deceptive. Had a fine game.

Tyson Barrie (A-) – One assist, three shots on net, one of few Avs players with positive Corsi numbers. Fine game for No. 4.

Ryan Graves (B-) – Had a couple shaky moments with the puck. But he recovers pretty well. Played a mostly solid 12-plus minutes.

Patrik Nemeth (B+) – If this was to be his final game with the Avs, he went out in style. I thought he was very good, even if the puck-possession numbers don’t seem it. Blocked three shots in his nearly 18 minutes.

Nikita Zadorov (A) – A goal, assist and a couple Z smashes. Great game. He’s played very well of late.

Philipp Grubauer (A+) – Came out of mothballs to play a perfect game in net. People can get off his case now.