Avs-Wild player grades: The Laugher Curve

For the second time in as many meetings, the Colorado Avalanche beat up on the Minnesota Wild. The final this time at the Pepsi Center was 7-1 for the Burgundy and Blue.

What are the grades for each individual player in this laugher? Let’s find out. If only I had these kinds of marks in math as a kid, life would have been so much easier.

Nathan MacKinnon (X) – My second rated-X of the season, the first being Tyson Barrie’s five-point night last week in Vancouver. But this was even better. I’d give it XXX if I could, but maybe I’d get in trouble with some kind of ratings board if I did. MacKinnon, quite simply, made everyone in a Wild sweater look like a fool tonight. He had FIVE points, and probably could have had more if he and the Avs didn’t call off the dogs by midway in the second period. True to Minnesota Wild fashion, one of their players (Daniel Winnik, who I’m surprised did this, because he’s a standup guy otherwise) tried to give him a big-time cheap shot along the boards late in the game. For some in the game of hockey (Bruce Boudreau), being too good at your job requires an unfair response. Boudreau and his overrated team can now beat it back to St. Paul to try and figure out other ways of stopping MacK and the Avs.

Mikko Rantanen (A+) – Four points for the big, skilled Finn. He was really great in the first period, when he used his size to create space along the wall and dish to linemates MacKinnon and Gabe Landeskog. After a lull to his game, especially when MacKinnon was out, Rantanen has things cookin’ again.

Gabe Landeskog (A) – The captain got the scoring started in the first period, with a great tip of a puck shot from the point. That was his only point of the night, but he still finished a plus-4. He was credited with five hits in the game, most on the team.

Tyson Barrie (A) – A brilliant goal, off the rush, and an assist on another. Barrie played nearly 23 minutes of fine hockey in this one. When his team is ahead by multiple goals, he can do little wrong.

Patrik Nemeth (A) – A plus-4 showing for the big, bearded Swede. Of course, he was on the ice for the only Wild goal, and screened his goalie, but that’s beside the point. He played a very good game.

Alexander Kerfoot (B-) – Nothing on the score sheet in a seven-goal game. Yet, I thought he was good overall. Someone needs to implant into that Harvard brain of his to shoot the puck more, though.

Tyson Jost (C) – No points, one shot on net in this one. He’s got to assert himself more as a shooter and playmaker. It’s not like he was bad out there, but he played 16 minutes and got just the one token shot on net. In this game, that’s easily overlooked. In the tight games sure to come? He’s got to do better.

J.T. Compher (C+) – No points, and he was on the ice for the only Wild goal. It came on a delayed penalty, and he was one of several Avs players who seemed to be just kind of waiting for the whistle so he could go back to the bench on a long Wild possession. But he worked hard otherwise.

Nikita Zadorov (A) – Strong game for Big Z. He was a plus-2 in nearly 24 minutes of work. He is at his best when he makes quick decisions with the puck, it seems. In other words, when he doesn’t try to overthink things, he’s a very good player.

Sam Girard (A+) – What a great game, what a great find. Hard to believe Nashville gave this kid up in a three-way deal that also gave the Avs Vladislav Kamenev just to get Kyle Turris. Girard made so many quietly excellent plays tonight. Yet, he was also rewarded on the score sheet with two assists.

Carl Soderberg (A) – Excellent game for the quiet Swede. He got the gift goal that chased Devan Dubnyk from the game and just did a solid job at both ends otherwise.

Matt Nieto (A) – The kid from Long Beach got his 12th goal of the season in the third period. The Avs have really needed more offense from the third line of late, and he’s come through. He still has the tendency to get lost in the crowd in other games, but tonight was two strong ones in a row.

Blake Comeau (A) – He was part of a very effective third line tonight, getting his nose dirty as usual.  He chipped in with an assist.

Anton Lindholm (B) – Good, solid game for the Swede, after missing a few games from injury. He played nearly 15 minutes and just quietly did his job. He gives the Avs a more physical presence than they had with David Warsofsky, who I thought did an admirable job while he was up with the big club in Lindholm’s and others’ absence.

Duncan Siemens (B) – Another game under his belt. For a guy who was never supposed to have been heard from here again in these parts, he’s gone a great job of seizing the moment. Nothing fancy, just quietly effective minutes.

Gabriel Bourque (A) – Anytime a fourth-liner gets a point in a win, I’m inclined to give him an A. So, there you go. He was good in his nearly 14 minutes of work, getting an assist.

Dominic Toninato (C) – Will the kid ever get a goal? The scoring drought continues, and he was on the ice for that one goal against. He needs to do something tangible on the sheet at some point.

Colin Wilson (INC) – He only played 4:30. Might have suffered an injury. Stay tuned Saturday for more detail.

Semyon Varlamov (A) – Hey, a pylon could have gotten this win, it’s true. But he was engaged and made the saves when he had to. If this were a close game, I think Varly would have found a way to win it, based on how he looked.