When Mikko Rantanen scored the overtime goal, J.T. Compher was the first teammate he greeted with an embrace. When he was asked about the goal, Compher was the first name out of his mouth.
It might have been his most important moment on a day when he recorded four points for the second time in his career . Compher was specifically on the ice to take the offensive zone faceoff with 30 seconds remaining in overtime. Losing would cost Colorado possession and likely take the game to a shootout. Winning allowed the team’s best scorer to gather the puck and create a shooting angle.But that’s just a microcosm of Compher’s success this season.
“I feel more comfortable in that position this year,” he said. “I think I knew I could do it, but now I feel more comfortable actually doing it. … Bedsy’s giving me more responsibility, and I’m just trying to make the most of it.” Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl, right, passes the puck as Colorado Avalanche left wing J.T. Compher, center, and center Evan Rodrigues, left, defend in the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, in Denver.
To contextualize that: Compher’s 1,130 faceoffs taken are almost equal to the combined total of Colorado’s second and third choices. MacKinnon and Alex Newhook together have taken 1,143. They have combined to win 43.9% of those. Compher is significantly better at 48.2%.