Avs Grades as They Cool Off the Flames (+)

Ice, ice baby.

Jack Johnson: B – Not a lot on the stat sheet tonight but he played consistent. The defensive core played really well tonight.

Erik Johnson: B+ – You’re going to have to play physical come playoff time. Johnson is doing his part to wear out opposing teams.

Devon Toews: A – Great puck awareness as he saved a goal in the first period. 25 plus minutes played and a plus-two. He is always out there when the top line is and the last couple of minutes of a close game. Hard-fought 25 minutes.

Cale Makar: B+ –  He donned the “A” tonight with the captain out. We always talk about the scoring, skating and overall ability, but let’s not forget he also does the little things incredibly well too, like getting his stick in the passing lanes, tape-to-tape passes and keeping up with his man.

Valeri Nichushkin: B+ – He’s moved up to the first line and looked good with MacKinnon and Rantanen. He had four shots on net and stuck with the Flames. They weren’t going to get past him easily.

Nicolas Aube-Kubel : D – He looked slow out there tonight, especially in the neutral zone.

Tyson Jost: C – He had a couple of good clears on the penalty kill and played till the whistle. He almost snagged it from Dan Vladar late in the third.

Alex Newhook: B+ – He was on the receiving end of a couple of big hits, but he didn’t cower away. He got up and hit some people too. He had a couple of good chances as well.

Logan O’Connor: C- –  He needs a spark or something. He played better in the third period but pretty quiet.

Ryan Murray: B – Nothing flashy but he did well. 18 minutes played and a shot on net.

Nathan MacKinnon: A+ – It’s a different MacKinnon since returning from injury. He has come out flying in each game. He got his 20th and 21st of the season and I’m sure more to come. He is not going to let this team fail.

J.T. Compher: C- –  He played well deep in the offensive zone. He was keeping the pressure on and skated away with the puck a few times to gain possession.

Darren Helm: C – Five on five he isn’t much of a threat but he is still a key component on the penalty kill and Coach Bednar had him out there when Calgary pulled their goalie.

Kurtis MacDermid: B – The big man did a good job out there throwing pucks at the net. He had FOUR shot attempts. When Kuemper froze the puck while he was on the ice, he skated to the front of the net and stood. Nobody was going to get into a post-whistle scuffle with him around.

Nazem Kadri: A  – Continues to lead the team with now 73 points. He picked up his speed and intensity as the game went on. He seemed to be all over the ice.

Andre Burakovsky: B- – If there was ever a time for “hot” streak Burky, now is it. The team is going to need contributions from everyone, not just MacKinnon, Rantanen and Kadri. He did have seven shot attempts tonight.

Mikko Rantanen: A – Everyone will have to step up with the current injuries. Rantanen played hard tonight. He had a goal and an assist. I want to know how many sticks he’s broken this year.

Darcy Kuemper: A+ –  Potentially his best game of the year. He was calm, cool, and collected the entire game. The Flames were in the crease and shooting from everywhere. He had to stay sharp and be prepared for anything. It was a hard-earned shutout facing 46 shots.