Avs Round 2, Game 3 Grades: Toughing it out

Nicolas Aube-Kubel – B

I think there’s a lack of skill beyond Burakovsky on that third line, but not a lack of effort. NAK is working hard all over the ice, and even though some of his puck decisions aren’t the best, he’s back checking hard and doing what he’s asked to do.

Andre Burakovsky – C

Threw a nice hit behind the Blues net at one point. The offense isn’t there, and he seems really slow to make decisions right now, but I am more than happy with his effort on the full sheet.

Bowen Byram – B+

The Girard injury is really unfortunate, but the Avs now get to show off the one advantage they have over other teams, and that’s a Byram waiting in the wings on the third pair to step up. Another good game from Bo, another game where he leads the team in shot share and had some nice looks offensively. Was right there with Lehkonen to create the two on one with the game-winner.

Andrew Cogliano – C-

Made a really risky play on a poke check in the neutral zone in the third period that ended up working out for him. The Avs didn’t register a single shot attempt with him on the ice, but they also gave up literally nothing, so it’s fine.

J.T. Compher – C

The struggle with the puck was real, as he was fumbling pucks left and right, but he was the only center on the team who could win a face-off to save his life. It was not a pretty showing for the rest of the face-off guys.

Samuel Girard – INC

A super violent hit, but I’m not so sure it’s a penalty. Just a really unfortunate result to now lose Girard for the rest of the playoffs. I hope his recovery goes well because a broken sternum sounds bad.

Darren Helm – C

Picked up an assist on the float sent from the gods themselves, one that no one can really tell if it was offside or not, so it doesn’t really matter. The penalty was tough, just a guy battling to defend and in a game where nothing has really been called, it’s tough to know what they’re going to call.

Erik Johnson – B+

His role might change and get increased now with Girard out, but he’s really stepped up for the first seven games. He was in the play a lot tonight and even had to play a good bit on his off-side.

Nazem Kadri – A

He didn’t do anything wrong on the play with Binnington. That’s hockey. He did step up when the team really needed him, and when the top line didn’t have much mojo going for the first 55 minutes or so. That’s what really matters.

Darcy Kuemper – B+

I made it clear: I hated the second goal. It’s a bad time to give up a goal, but more so, it’s a rebound that cannot happen. Beyond that, he was really good. The only other goal that beat him was another deflection. The Avs didn’t give up much in the third but he was good when called upon.

Gabriel Landeskog – B+

There is no way this man is 100%. He’s falling with no one around him, and doesn’t seem to have much power when he hits. But that isn’t going to stop his effort one bit. The top line started to get a little bit going with him battling, and he played a key role in puck retrieval on the Kadri goal.

Artturi Lehkonen – A

That goal was huge in the second. Massive. Some strong plays along the wall, some good back checks, and took a big hit in the second period to make a play. Led the team in even strength shot attempts and shots on goal.

Nathan MacKinnon – C

You can tell he’s a little frustrated because the Blues really are not giving him much. What I want to see from him though is taking the puck in and just letting it rip. A few times he had guys a little beat wide and just pulled up. He’s not getting many chances to shoot, so I think you want him shooting when he can.

Cale Makar – B+

Started to get a little bit of the magic going in the second period in the offensive zone, creating space for himself and shots, and the shot/pass on the Kadri goal was huge. Played some very heavy minutes and still managed to be positive in shot share.

Josh Manson – C

Liked him the least of all the defenders because of some pretty poor decisions. He was pretty aggressive in the third offensively, and I’m not sure you want him changing the way he plays much.

Valeri Nichushkin – B-

Nuke struggled to get some shots off but was good defensively as he usually is. He looked tired in the third because the Avs were asking a lot out of that Kadri line down the stretch. He kept working though, and nearly got himself a breakaway.

Logan O’Connor – A

He was brought in to provide energy and a spark and he did just that. Was the most noticeable player on the fourth line.

Mikko Rantanen – D

There’s no energy to his game still. He’s not moving his feet and doesn’t seem to want the puck. The play in the first period where it came to him along the boards, and he just softly turned and made a soft pass to no one. The Blues got a whistle at the other end, and scored off the face-off. This cannot keep up. He’s not getting an F because I thought he was better in the third and made some nice defensive plays, but they need way more.

Devon Toews – B+

His numbers don’t look great, but he played a ton of minutes in this game out of necessity, and never seems to look completely tired. You ask for a lot from one man to play over 30+ minutes, and he provided enough. Gutsy effort.