TAMPA, Fla. — Nazem Kadri Knows how make an entrance.
The top-flight forward from Colorado was back in the lineup after thumb surgery in Game 4 against Tampa Bay On Wednesday, he scored the overtime goal that won the game. Avalanche A 3-2 win, and a lead in the 3-1 series.
Colorado now has the chance to win the Cup for the first time since 2001. Game 5 is Friday. Kadri was there to make it possible in the Cup Final game.
Kadri described the experience as “a rollercoaster ride of emotions.” It was surreal to think I was done, feel a little hope, and then sit here right now. It was a pleasure to be back on the team and in the dressing room. This is what my whole life has been waiting for, so it was exciting to finally get in the squad.
Kadri became NHL’s ninth ever player to score an overtime goal in Cup Final play. He was also the first to achieve it after a series’ Game 1. In 18:39 TOI, he finished Game 4 with 2 goals.
Wednesday marked Kadri’s first action since being boarded by Evander Kane In Game 3 of the Western Conference Final in Edmonton, June 4. After the play, Kadri had to have surgery on his thumb. Kane was given a one-game suspension and Kadri only returned to shooting hockeys this week.
Kadri didn’t feel confident enough to return to the game, and looked reluctant to shoot the puck in Game 4. While he didn’t make a shot in the first period, he became more confident over time. He scored the game-winning goal after several good chances and some hit posts for Colorado, who had dominated possession-wise for most of this extra frame.
Kadri explained that he had set out to achieve his goal. “I knew I got an excellent shot off and may have had a shot. I initially thought it was in, but then he kinda fooled my mind and suggested it could be. [was] His arm was pinned between his legs. He was almost swimming in the crease. He seemed to think he had it. There was some confusion. Then I saw everyone bull rush the ice, and that was when I knew it was confirmed. It’s a team effort, and it feels great to accomplish the goal.
Kadri was enjoying a successful playoff prior to his thumb problem. He had scored six goals in 13 games and scored 14 points. This was after Kadri’s career regular season of 27 goals and an impressive 89-point performance in 71 matches. He had high expectations for his performance during Colorado’s Cup run.
Everyone who was following his recovery knew that Kadri was determined to play in the Cup Final. Kadri was a liability given the stakes.
Bednar stated that he wants to know more than him telling his trainers that he’s ready. I want to see what he can do, what he can’t, how he feels about it, and if he has any doubts. He shouldn’t be allowed in if he doesn’t know how to play and achieve what we need. He was quite certain, I liked his skating, so we need a player of that caliber in the team.
Bednar was not surprised to see that Kadri returned in the end, producing a series-shifting climax.
Bednar said, “It’s a Stanley Cup Final; you can be sure he’s going out there to give it his best,” “He has the ability to win hockey games in seconds like those. It’s clear why we wanted him here.
Although Game 4 was a positive outcome for Colorado, it wasn’t trending in that manner early on.
Tampa Bay was able to beat the Avalanche by a mere 36 seconds.
The Lightning were able to exert good offensive pressure in the first half of the season. Erik Cernak A shot was fired Darcy Kuemper That ripped the mask off of the goaltender. Kuemper was unable to get through to Kuemper. Anthony CirelliThe play that followed put Tampa Bay on top.
Normaly, when a goalie’s face is removed, it’s a whistle. But in this instance, the whistle was not blown immediately.
There were chances for both sides, and Colorado overcame two deficits to force overtime. Colorado missed multiple posts and could have become frustrated at not seeing anything through. Kadri was not denied. The Avalanche return home for Game 5, with one goal: To lift the Cup.
“It says so much.” [about] What we already know [that he’s] “A super resilient human being.” Nathan MacKinnonKadri, who scored a powerplay goal in Game 4, spoke highly of Antoine.[It was] We are so happy to have that guy back. He was very professional tonight. He made some great plays and seemed to have one good shot at the net.