Avs Stanley Cup Final Game 3 Grades: Counterpunch

Nicolas Aube-Kubel – C

NAK came into the lineup and…nothing changed. Noticed a couple of missed passes but didn’t play enough to make an impact.

Bowen Byram – B-

The only defenseman who wasn’t on the ice for a goal against. Close to making a great play on the disallowed goal but just backed off a bit too much. Want to see him be more decisive when shooting the puck, as he’s waited a little too long for my liking.

Andrew Cogliano – D

For a guy with one hand, he was extra angry in game three. His penalties were all when the game was out of hand, so it’s whatever, but a little strange to see a veteran lose their composure like that. He got his money’s worth on the hack on Maroon. You can tell his teammates aren’t really looking for him because they know he can’t do a ton with his hand.

J.T. Compher – D

Certainly had his chances, so he had to be doing something right, but couldn’t lift the puck on either of his backhand looks with a lot of the net empty. The second one was kind of an awkward play while moving, but he shot it right back into Vasilevsky on the first one. Both those ended up being kind of important in the long run just based off when they happened. Then another good look in the third. Lost Stamkos badly on the fourth goal that really killed momentum. Felt the penalty call on him was pretty weak.

Pavel Francouz – C

First real shot went through him on a deflection and then wasn’t really tested until the late game shenanigans gave the Lightning a ton of power plays. Looked fine at that point. Not looking forward to the goalie talk the next few days.

Darren Helm – C-

I put the blame more on Manson on the third goal, because Helm looked to be throwing a pick for him rather than calling for a reverse. Either way, it ended up in the back of the net. The fourth line being the third line in game three didn’t work out all that well. Need to get some bodies back.

Erik Johnson – D

When EJ looks slow, it’s not a good sign, and he looked a little slower from the start of the game. He also had trouble getting any of his shots through, which has been an issue in the past but hasn’t really come into play much in the playoffs. Tampa is good at that.

Jack Johnson – C+

Jack Johnson was, again, fine. The only goal he was out there for was a turnover by his defensive partner.

Darcy Kuemper – F

Sure, the Avs gave up great chances, and they’re not used to that. But five goals on the last 12 shots you see just isn’t good enough. It’s a shame because he started the game really well and looked locked in early before that Cirelli goal.

Gabriel Landeskog – A-

The only guy to beat Vasilevsky when everything was onside. The second goal was beautiful and just goes to show the Avs know this goalie’s weakness right now. Top line certainly had lots of looks. Another good night in the face-off circle too. He’s really the only one doing it.

Artturi Lehkonen – D

For two games, he’s been one guy who has really been pretty invisible offensively. Got moved up to the second line and didn’t do a whole lot. Right before Compher’s penalty early, he had a chance to clear but got outmuscled by the Tampa player on the forecheck.

Nathan MacKinnon – C+

Plenty of looks, that’s for sure but seems like a lot from the perimeter, and Tampa did not hesitate to get in front of a lot of his looks from that center point on the blue line. The Avs have been able to get by without MacK having a signature game, but the time has come. Spending a lot more time in Tampa’s end than his own, so you know it will happen at some point.

Cale Makar – C+

Tampa played him a heck of a lot tighter at the point. That was clear and a few times was showcased when he would go to lose the defending forward but they wouldn’t fall for his moves and forced it out. Like MacK, a lot of his shots got blocked. Was out there for three goals against but none of them he really did anything wrong on.

Josh Manson – D+

Manson looked to have room to skate the puck around the net on the third goal but instead chose to reverse it, and it was in the net a few seconds later. A killer way to start a period. Got run by Kucherov late and was not happy, for good reason.

Alex Newhook – D

Taking a holding the stick penalty after losing a battle is not a good look. They didn’t score on the penalty but right when he came out of the box. That line is just a group of misfits right now.

Valeri Nichushkin – B

It’s hard to follow up going off on the opposing team for two straight games, but he tried and who knows what would have happened if his early goal had counted. The Avs, once again, dominated with him on the ice, even if he didn’t hit the scoresheet.

Logan O’Connor – C-

Had enough and threw hands late in the game when it really didn’t matter much. Did have a decent rush and look shorthanded in the first period but went kind of invisible at even strength.

Mikko Rantanen – C

Picks up two more assists, which he just continues to do in the playoffs, but looked fairly lost and confused on the Palat goal coming back. The second line also got pinned in for a long period of time on that Stamkos goal with no escaping. Still had some good looks but need more there defensively. Got tossed back on the top line in the third period but I don’t expect that to stick.

Nico Sturm – D

Maybe the game was already lost at that point, but throwing the puck over the glass when you just need to get into the intermission and when you have a cold goalie who just entered the net is bad news all around. Can’t hurt the team like that in limited ice time.

Devon Toews – F

Just a rough night. Got caught a little too low being aggressive offensively on the first goal, maybe part of the reason Cirelli was able to get around him. The flubbed pass on the second goal was ugly and was one of the guys caught running around on the Stamkos goal. An off night.