Avs/Stars Grades - Never In Doubt

The Colorado Avalanche were in control from start to finish against the Dallas Stars and came out with a decisive 3-0 victory.

How did each player perform?  Let’s find out…

Tyson Barrie (C) – Barrie had a very “blah” game and he hasn’t looked fantastic since returning from injury.  His pairing was the only one where both players were negative in terms of possession.

Mark Barberio (C) – A bounce-back game of sorts for Barbs. He’s had a really rough stretch of late but he rebounded just a bit tonight. It still wasn’t perfect, as there were a few rough spots, including a blind clear up the middle with time and space on the PK that almost cost the team.

Jonathan Bernier (A) – He certainly got lucky with three posts hit by the Stars, but he doesn’t care. He probably could have used a real solid performance where he allowed very little, and he gave the team that tonight when their starter wasn’t able to go.

Chris Bigras (F) – A really rough night for Bigras that included him getting benched for the last half of the first period, and the majority of the third.  He continues to look jittery and scared with the puck on his stick.  The Avs only controlled 23% of the shot attempts with him on the ice.  Lindholm’s return is likely bad news for him.

Gabriel Bourque (C) – He was brought in for hustle and sandpaper and he did provide that, as he was physical every time he was on the ice.  The Avs still get rocked with him on the ice, but he did what the coaches wanted him to do this evening.

Blake Comeau (B) – He just continues to do everything that the team needs from him.  His forechecking at the moment is on point.  He led the Avs players in terms of possession tonight.

J.T. Compher (B+) – That was easily Compher’s most complete game since returning.  He got on the power play and was firing the puck any chance he got.  He was also tremendous defensively.

Samuel Girard (A-) – He continues to be extremely effective in moving the puck forward.  He showed some tenacity and strength in the defensive zone tonight as well.  The spin moves that didn’t work too well the last few games were back working tonight.

Erik Johnson (A+) – Just another massive game from him, and the best part about the team’s strong play is that EJ didn’t have to play 30 minutes.  A great goal, a massive hit, and just all around strong play from the leader on defense.

Alexander Kerfoot (B-) – He was quietly effective at even strength and looked like he had a sure goal on his stick in the second period, but whiffed on it a bit and that allowed Bishop to get to the puck.

Gabriel Landeskog (A) – Another night of Landy leading the forwards in ice time.  Another huge goal to give the Avs some breathing room, and he managed to win seven of the nine faceoffs he took.

Nathan MacKinnon (A+) – The guy we’ve been waiting to see for a few years has shown up the last 10 games.  MacK looks dominant and another three assists move him even higher up the scoring list in the NHL.

Matt Nieto (B) – He wasn’t able to pick up another hat trick against the Stars, but had another solid night, particularly on the cycle in the offensive zone.

 Mikko Rantanen (A) – The pass to Landeskog was a beauty, but the vision on the breakout on EJ’s goal was fantastic and allowed MacK to carry the puck up the middle of the ice.  He just keeps producing.

Carl Soderberg (B) – He was held off the scoreboard but had another solid night, and struck the post in the third period on a sneaky good wrist shot that you would love to see him use more of. He is essentially this teams 2nd line center right now.

Dominic Toninato (C) – A quieter game for Toninato and that line struggled offensively without Andrighetto there.  He is being used in some relatively important situations for a rookie.

Colin Wilson (C-) – Too often you go through nights and wonder if Wilson even played. He has had effective nights but tonight he was just kind of out there. Everyone knows he’s overpaid but you’d still like more offense.

Nail Yakupov (C+) – He had the worst possession numbers on the team, but make no mistake, no other player on this team is able to score that huge second-period goal.  His shot is a huge weapon and it has provided some massive goals the last two games.

Nikita Zadorov (A-) – The big man has been very effective since coming back into the lineup, and played over 21 minutes tonight, a season high for him.  He led all Avs players with five shot attempts at even strength, and his individual shot generation is up big time this year. He’s been moving his feet and that makes a world of difference for him.

The Avs head to Minnesota to take on the Wild on Friday.  The game starts at 2 PM MST.