Nikita Zadorov benched for Vancouver game – but does he deserve it?

The Avalanche announced a little earlier today that defenseman Nikita Zadorov will be a healthy scratch tonight against the Vancouver Canucks, with recent call-up Kevin Connauton taking his place in the lineup. Connauton will skate alongside Mark Barberio in the lineup against a Vancouver team that last lost four straight.

Connauton had five goals and 27 points in 38 games with the Colorado Eagles before the call-up, so he’s been playing well there.

Zadorov? He had one of his poorest games of the season on Wednesday against the Ducks, finishing a minus-3 with just 7:58 of ice time overall. Most games before that, his ice times were ranging from 12 to 16 minutes. He does not have a point in 15 straight contests. His Corsi for percentage in all situations is 46.8. His official “giveaway” total with the NHL statkeepers is 35, in 62 games. He was charged with 32 giveaways in 70 games last year.