Avs Stanley Cup Final Game 6 Grades: Champs

Bowen Byram – A+

The best defender on the team in the elimination game by a mile. Makar didn’t have his best night, so Byram decided to turn into Makar. These playoffs were a coming-out party for Bo, and he showed up on the biggest stage. He’s a champ.

Andrew Cogliano – A

Fantastic pickup. Another great night on the penalty kill and once LOC got put back onto that line, they found their mojo. He’s a champ.

J.T. Compher – A

Not his best series of the playoffs, but did his best to fill in when Kadri missed time and was the only real solid figure on that third line for this round with all the injuries. He’s a champ.

Darren Helm – A

His body deserves a rest after throwing it around with reckless abandon. Another big night on the penalty kill and in the face-off circle for him. The vet free agent signing that actually worked out. He’s a champ…again.

Erik Johnson – A+

Not sure you can be happier for anyone else on the team. He stuck with the organization when times were tough, and then fought through major injury issues to come back and be a huge part of the defense during the postseason. He’s a champ.

Jack Johnson – A

The final two games of this series it felt like JJ found his stride. He was hitting everything that moved and had a few nice plays to keep plays alive offensively. I never would have seen this coming a year ago. He’s a champ.

Nazem Kadri – A+

Gutting it out through major injury, and still finding ways to make an impact. The second line was huge in the third period, pinning the play down low in the offensive zone for extended periods of time. Got robbed in the first in front, and showed no fear shooting the puck with a bum thumb. They acquired him to be the second line center behind MacK to help win a Cup, and now…he’s a champ.

Darcy Kuemper – A+

The Avs gave up next to nothing in terms of chances, but after the first goal, he really shut it down. Huge save on Kucherov in the third after next to no action, and then a big save when the net was empty on a bouncing puck in front. He’s a champ.

Gabriel Landeskog – A+

I have a feeling we don’t see him until partway through next year because he was obviously dealing with something post-surgery, but who cares? The job was accomplished. He was a beast in the third period, and a huge shot block with his literal skate blade to keep the lead late. He’s a champ.

Artturi Lehkonen – A+

What a pickup, and just a knack for scoring massive goals. The shot on the game winner is not an easy one to pull off across the body, and he made it look real easy. Great on the forecheck all night as well. He’s a champ.

Nathan MacKinnon – A+

We were waiting for the signature MacKinnon game, and it happened in game six. Not only did he finally break through with a goal off his stick, but he also picks up an assist on the winner and had a massive night in the face-off circle. He’s now won shit. He’s a champ.

Cale Makar – A

It wasn’t his best night, but who cares. Great hockey sense to realize that Stamkos was exhausted at the end of the game and to pressure him to kill time on the forecheck. Conn Smythe win just days after a Norris trophy. The trophy room might need to expand soon. He’s a champ.

Josh Manson – A

Just before the Lehkonen goal, Manson almost scored on his own with a nice look in the slot. He went tumbling into the boards hard and came back for a smart read and pinch on the winner. Who knows if they can afford to bring him back next year, but that’s not a worry right now. He’s a champ.

Alex Newhook – A

I think the long pro season took its toll on him, as he didn’t have much in terms of legs late, but he did just enough in game six to get by. His biggest moment was when Kucherov tried to dangle him in the third period and he stood strong and got a skate on it to clear it out. He’s a champ.

Valeri Nichushkin – A+

I don’t know how messed up his ankle is, but to come out with four shots on goal and five scoring chances in just over 20 minutes with a bum ankle is massive. And now he gets to look forward to a big-time paycheck coming his way, hopefully from the Avs. He’s a champ.

Logan O’Connor – A

A massive play in the third when he went one on three against the Lightning, held possession just long enough for new forwards to get on the ice and cycled it perfectly to them to keep zone time going. He’s a champ.

Mikko Rantanen – A

Big play to keep the puck in the zone on the MacKinnon goal. Didn’t pick up any goals in the finals, but tons of assists and looked pretty engaged physically tonight. Outworked McDonough a few times down low for the puck. He’s a champ.

Nico Sturm – A

Had a big diving clear in the third period to make sure some of his linemates could change after a long shift. Played his role to a tee in the final game. He’s a champ.

Devon Toews – A

He’s the tone-setter on defense with his aggressiveness. When he’s leading three on two’s in the third period with a one-goal lead, you know the team is playing the way it should be. Two second-round picks?!? He’s a champ.