Avs Player Grades in Series-Clinching Win (+)

I know that I can’t take no more
It ain’t no lie
I want to see you out that door
Baby bye bye bye

Bowen Byram: B – He was involved more offensively tonight by jumping up in the play. He played a little over 15 minutes and had five hits.

Erik Johnson: A – Great job of drawing the Preds down low and then tossing it back up to Toews to tie it at three. He added three shots of his own.

Devon Toews: A+ – I legit did not even his shot go in. Phew what a beauty. He just does everything right.

Cale Makar: X -X grade, for an obscene performance. Calm, cool and collected this game as he shut down a few odd-man rushes without even flinching. He threw in a spin-o-rama for fun, added the tying goal and set up Nichushkin after another patented rush down the left wall. He is just silly good. He messed around and finished with three points. 

Valeri Nichushkin: A – He played a little soft on Forsberg’s goal early in third. I would have liked to have seen a stick or body on him. But he redeemed himself, scoring the Avs’ game-winning goal after Makar’s sweet dish.

Nicolas Aube-Kubel: B – He had a sneaky good game. He was a plus-three and had seven hits.

Logan O’Connor: B- – Not much on the stat line but he brings “something” to the lineup. It’s a good something.

Nathan MacKinnon: A – Strong backchecking tonight but struggled in the faceoff dot. Make that a goal in each of the series games. He led the team with nine shots (!!)

J.T. Compher: A- – Couple of apples tonight. I really liked his pass to Makar and his general play.

Josh Manson: C+ – Not his best night, a little over 17 minutes played and a shot on net. Time for a little break and rest up.

Darren Helm: B – He was the best faceoff man tonight winning 67% and winning six of nine.

Sam Girard: C+ – He and Manson struggled tonight as they were both a minus two and seemed off.

Artturi Lehkonen: B- – He had a quiet night but he’s been big all series long. Time to get ready for round two. Almost 15 minutes played.

Nico Sturm: C+ – A careless clear in the defensive zone led to the Preds’ first-period goal. Can’t have that in playoffs. Mistakes happen, on to the next period! You have to have short-term memory in the playoffs.

Nazem Kadri: B – He had a couple of hits and was 7-for-8 in the faceoff dot. On to round 2 ladies and gents!

Gabe Landeskog: B+ – The captain played like the captain tonight. He created chances and displayed great patience with the puck. He led the team with eight hits.

Andre Burakovsky: A- – He scored the most unique goal of the playoffs tonight. Incredible shot that went right through the netting. Hopefully we see more like it.

Mikko Rantanen: B- – Not even Dater could reverse-jinx a goal for him tonight. He’s not playing horrible but just not his normal dominant self. It’ll come, just a matter of time. He drew a penalty that sealed the deal.

Pavel Francouz: B – Great save, great save, goal. He made a flurry of great saves but the puck still found its way in eventually. He seemed to be really far out of net on a few shots, making it hard to recover. He got the W and that’s all that matters.