Avs Round 2, Game 4 Grades: The Kadri show

Nicolas Aube-Kubel – A

Was it a bit of a surprise he stuck in the lineup over Burakovsky? Maybe, but he played terrific from the get-go, with some nice chances and actually created quite a few looks for himself and his linemates.

Bowen Byram – A

It’s actually kind of surprising that his time on ice was as low as it was. He was an impact player and really stepped up in Girard’s absence. The pass on the second Kadri goal was great, and his movement on the EJ goal seemed to throw off the defense. Also had a number of great plays at the defensive blue line.

Andrew Cogliano – B-

Big-time shot block on Parayko late in the game. Everyone knows that guy has a bomb but sometimes it has to be done. The PK was kind of a mess, unfortunately, the only true bad spot on the evening.

J.T. Compher – B+

He is providing very little in terms of actual offense, but defensively, he was very good in game four, and took a beating in front a few times, including on EJ’s goal. He’s the only center whose been consistently good in the face-off dot this series.

Darren Helm – B+

If this grade was just on five-on-five play, Helm would get an A. He was great all night, physical, hard on pucks, and had a few chances himself. His positioning on Perron with the net empty along the wall helped trap the puck, and took Perron out of the play completely. Unfortunately he took a penalty and had a few flubs on the PK, but that was the only downside to his night.

Erik Johnson – A-

Well, his goal was the opposite of what we’ve seen in years with the Avs, where he has had some trouble getting his shot through, but a fantastic play to walk the blue line and just put a wrister through rather than a big bomb. It worked perfectly. Only downside was his penalty but lots of great plays, and even some nice rushes up the ice.

Jack Johnson – B+

I feel like I’m saying this for everyone, but outside of the PK, he was more than adequate filling in. In nearly 15 minutes of even-strength time, the Blues only registered two shots on goal. Can’t ask for more than that.

Nazem Kadri – A++++++

Some games you will remember watching for the rest of your life. This was one of them because of Kadri’s performance, given all the crap from the last 48 hours. He put up with all the things the Blues were trying to do to take him off his game, and he shut up everyone in the crowd. And to top it off, his interview afterward with TNT was incredible. A fantastic evening.

Darcy Kuemper – C

Huge save late in the game on Schenn to keep it a two-goal lead. Beyond that, you kind of hope to see more from him when called upon, especially when the Avs dominate so much. Got bailed out by a few posts as well.

Gabriel Landeskog – B-

He keeps fighting out there and working. Nearly had a goal banking it off Husso in the third period, and let plenty of shots go but didn’t really get many on net.

Artturi Lehkonen – B

Liked him the most of the players on the top line, and seemed to have a ton of good chances that he couldn’t bury, including a mini-break in the second period. He’s really been a Swiss army knife since arriving.

Nathan MacKinnon – C+

He had a bit more jump in this one than he did in game three, but we still have not seen MacKinnon really do anything that we’ve come accustomed to since game one. And it’s wild that the Avs are up 3-1 in the series and he hasn’t even been much of a factor. A few sloppy moments defensively later in the game.

Cale Makar – B

He seemed to take blame on the first goal when talking to Kuemper, but 99% of the time Toews gets that puck to him. This time, he didn’t. Of the top guys who haven’t scored, he feels the closest to putting one in the back of the net.

Josh Manson – B

Perfect, super low event game from him, playing a bit of a different role than what he had usually with Girard. Like most everyone else, the PK was his only low point.

Alex Newhook – A-

He got his chance, and made the most of it. Needs to do a better job of getting his shots through, but his miss of the empty net actually created the EJ goal. Avs went +17/-3 in his 7:42 of even strength time in shot attempts.

Valeri Nichushkin – A

If you want a masterclass in stick work and tenacity all over the ice, watch the clip of Nuke on the third Kadri goal I posted to twitter. He was everywhere causing chaos. Blues only had two shots on goal in his 14:45 on ice.

Logan O’Connor – B+

Had some good looks, including a good, low shot for a rebound that just missed a crashing Helm. The Avs have depth and they’re all playing a role.

Mikko Rantanen – B

He seemed to think twice about scoring with little to no time left but maybe decided that he needed that goal to get the monkey off his back. He was better and maybe the drop down a line helped a bit.

Devon Toews – B-

Made up for the unfortunate turnover with a goal of his own. Crazy that down Girard, the Avs didn’t even have to overextend his minutes.