Avs Round 3, Game 4 Grades: One last hurdle

Nicolas Aube-Kubel – C

I liked NAK more than Newhook, at least for one game. He kept it more simple than usual and tried to play physically. He was also pretty good on the forecheck.

Andre Burakovksy – C-

It was a surprise at all that Burky got back, as I’d been told he has a broken bone in his foot, but he toughed it out and now gets some time to heal up. Really would have liked to see him shoot on that odd-man rush in the second.

Bowen Byram – B

The poor guy continues to just get points taken away from him, whether it’s goalies making ridiculous saves on his feeds, or whatever happened on that Landeskog goal. He had some tougher moments and McDavid really flew past him for a good chance in the first, but the skill to corral the puck and get it on net for the Landeskog goal was huge.

Andrew Cogliano – B+

The blocked shot that looks like it might cause some real issues, based on the handshake line, really stinks, because he was coming on in a big way. The fourth line was a difference-maker in this series, and he had some good looks tonight just via hard work.

J.T. Compher – B+

Funny enough, tonight he had more consistent good looks than in the games where he’s scored big goals. Also had an amazing play in the second period where he fooled a few Oilers forwards and fed Makar backdoor for a good look.

Pavel Francouz – D

Uh, he got the win, but that wasn’t the most convincing one. We have a lot of time to discuss who starts in the SCF, but this game leaves some questions in your head.

Darren Helm – B+

Tough penalty early on, but he really tried to make up for it. The almost superhuman effort late in the third when he couldn’t finish a great rush, and the huge battle in overtime to win the face-off and get it to Makar at the point. He’s really stepped up in the playoffs and seems like his minutes are only going up.

Erik Johnson – A+

Forget the game (he played well, by the way). Is there anyone you are happier for than EJ? He’s been with the team for a decade, through the highs and lows, both for the team and personally with his injuries, and he’s stepped up in a massive way this postseason to help this team get where they are right now. If there’s anyone you want to win it for, it’s him.

Jack Johnson – B

Was on the right side of the possession game for the first time all series, and was invisible. He has been massively sheltered but if he’s not hurting the team, who cares?

Gabriel Landeskog – B

He had a tough span in the second period, where he got tunnel vision covering McDavid on the Hyman goal (understandable) and then the penalty following right after. Not to mention he’s clearly not 100%. He just keeps going. A massive goal right in the paint, and a lot of big face-off wins.

Artturi Lehkonen – A

The chip to hit MacKinnon with speed was perfect, but we all should have guessed he was going to win this game in overtime, right? What a pickup, and he’s not going anywhere, anytime soon.

Nathan MacKinnon – B

Probably his roughest game defensively, and a few times in the third period, I really wanted him to just let the puck rip (right before his turnover on the fourth Oilers goal). Then he goes and does what MacK normally does and ties the game up in a way only he could. He won’t have to matchup against a McDavid in the next round, so you have to imagine it frees up more offense.

Cale Makar – A

It wasn’t his best game defensively, but he just put up five points in an elimination game against the best player in the world. No arguing with that. I love how he has no heart rate when McDavid is forechecking him on the MacKinnon goal, he just casually holds him off and starts the breakout.

Josh Manson – C

Tonight was the full Manson experience. A great pinch in the first that ended in a crossbar, and then sloppy plays with the puck in his own end that led to chances. He has skill, as we’ve seen in the offensive zone, but some of the decisions he makes keep me on the edge of my seat.

Alex Newhook – C-

Had a good look in the second period after he lost the puck himself, but beyond that, was not a fan of his game. The puck over the glass is what it is, it was a panic clear with a heavy hit coming in.

Valeri Nichushkin – C-

This was not Nuke’s best series, even though the top line did what they could to slow down McDavid. His passes weren’t on the tape, and he struggled to hit MacK in stride in the neutral zone a good bit. Bednar has adjusted the lines every series based on the matchup, so wonder what it looks like for the final series.

Logan O’Connor – B

The TNT broadcast said he made a bad pass to Toews, but it just looked like Toews missed it to me (they never showed a good replay from the other side of the ice). Because beyond that, that line again was great, and he had a mini-break shorthanded in the first just by using his speed.

Mikko Rantanen – C

Pretty invisible for two periods (zero shot attempts at even strength until the third), but his third was full of…a lot. The hacks he took from Keith in the corner, the big goal on the penalty he drew, and the cut to the middle for no reason on the game-tying goal by Kassian. Will be interesting to see if he plays center again when they hit the ice again.

Devon Toews – C

Just straight up looked to miss the puck completely on the second Oilers goal. A weird play that basically gifted them the lead. Not his best game, but this is a guy who probably will benefit from some days off.