Avs-Predators player grades: Great escape

Player grades for the Colorado Avalanche’s 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators.

Sven Andrighetto (C+) – I loved his speed and the impact it had on the game tonight. It was so effective when he was out there and he created some nice scoring chances. When he plays well, the Avalanche always benefit from it.

Mark Barberio (C) – The analytics aren’t good but I really didn’t have any major problems with his overall game tonight. He was moving his feet well tonight and jumping into the play when he needed to. But Nashville straight up feasted on him tonight.

Gabriel Bourque (C) – Had a goal taken away and it was the right call but it was nice to know Bourque can still find the net. It would have been his first of the season. Beyond that, he had no discernible impact on the outcome.

Matt Calvert (C-) – PLEASE FINISH SOMETHING, MAN. COME ON. DANG IT.

Ian Cole (B) –  The Avs got out-Corsi’d 29-5 in the third period and somehow Ian Cole still went 18 CF versus 12 CA. He’s a rock.

J.T. Compher (B-) – He continues to be a linchpin for Colorado’s success. His effort and offensive ability have been key factors in finding wins with him in the lineup.

Samuel Girard (B) – The third period onslaught after the Avalanche grabbed the lead is going to heavily skew all shot metrics in this one (except for Cole, apparently) but I thought Girard was really good in this game. Two assists, one on the PP in Barrie’s spot and one at even strength, and suddenly he’s up to 11 points on the year. That’ll do.

Erik Johnson (C) – I thought EJ had some struggles tonight. There were some moments where he looked hesitant to commit to a decision and that’s always the death of a defenseman. He survived but he was not quite what I was hoping for with Barrie out.

Tyson Jost (B+) – I didn’t think he was having a very good game but getting that game-winning goal was excellent. Great shot to beat Rinne cleanly. YAHTZEE.

Alexander Kerfoot (C) – Like Jost, I thought Kerfoot wasn’t having a very good game. Unlike Jost, he didn’t get a game-winning goal to make up for it. Not a bad night, just not as good.

Gabriel Landeskog (A) – He didn’t have the multi-point night his teammates did but he had a great game in his own right. He played pivotal roles in each goal despite the lack of points.

Nathan MacKinnon (A+) – He’s completely unstoppable right now. He did something to Matt Irwin in the third period that the competition committee might review after the season because it was so filthy. He didn’t quite have enough in the tank for the hat trick but we’ll forgive him for a level of dominance that didn’t quite reach that level.

Patrik Nemeth (D) – 4 Corsi For, 22 Corsi Against at 5v5. Five High-Danger Chances against, zero For at 5v5. That’s just a really bad night.

Matt Nieto (C+) – Not great analytics but his speed caused just enough disruption for Nashville at various times tonight. He really could have helped by scoring on a golden scoring chance in the final minute of the first period but he instead shot the puck into Rinne’s chest. Bummer result, great process.

Mikko Rantanen (A+) – Like MacKinnon, Rantanen is just on another level right now. He is on pace for the kind of season the NHL hasn’t seen since Mario Lemieux was destroying the league in the 90’s.

Carl Soderberg (C-) – I thought he played hard but ineffectively tonight. The shot metrics are ghastly and they matched a lot of what I saw on the ice. Not a great night, which means Pittsburgh can expect him to be a handful tomorrow night.

Semyon Varlamov (A+) – He survived the barrage in the third period and the two goals against weren’t ones where he was really at fault. It was the first time the Avalanche badly needed him to be stellar in a while and he responded.

Colin Wilson (C) – I just didn’t really notice him a lot tonight. He’s been pretty quiet for a handful of games now.

Nikita Zadorov (B-) – His shot metrics are very good and his minutes were up with Barrie out. He was rock solid tonight defensively. There were some hiccups with the puck that created some nervous moments but overall I really liked what I saw from him.