Despite death threats, Avs’ Kadri excelling
Rangers even series; Oilers grab 3-1 edge
DENVER — Nazem Kadri held his hand near his ear to absorb the boos from St. Louis fans after one of his three goals. He nodded several times in their direction following another.
“Hey, I’ve got to rub it in,” the Colorado forward said afterward.
By far the best player on the ice in Game 4, Kadri was fueled by disturbing threats he received that led to heightened security. He was also fueled by simply providing a lift for his team in a 6-3 win.
Kadri became the first Avalanche player to get a playoff hat trick on the road. His contributions helped Colorado take a 3-1 lead in the second-round series, with a chance to close out the Blues on Wednesday in Denver.
The Avalanche is looking to advance to its first Western Conference Final since 2002.
Not that they let the players’ minds wander to the possibility yet. Still work to be done.
“We’re just focused on the next shift, next period. We’re not looking ahead to the score or winning the series, whatever it might be,” Colorado defenseman Bowen Byram said Tuesday as the team returned from St. Louis. “Our focus is just right now preparing to play and then once we get in the game, just next-shift mentality.”
Kadri was praised by his teammates for his ability to stay composed in the wake of the racist death threats that led the team to work with local law enforcement to investigate.
He was lauded for keeping his cool when the Blues got chippy, too. In the second period, Pavel Buchnevich was called for roughing on Kadri and on David Perron for cross-checking. (Perron was fined $5,000 for the play by the league Tuesday).
Kadri didn’t retaliate, and it set up a 5-on-3 power play for Colorado, with Kadri scoring right after the penalties expired to make it a three-goal game.
“Lose your cool and we’ll make you pay,” Kadri said.
Kadri has drawn the ire of Blues fans for a second straight postseason. It stems from his hit to the head of defenseman Justin Faulk in Game 2 a year ago, leading to Kadri’s eight-game suspension.
The animosity only increased after Game 3 of this series, when he and St. Louis defenseman Calle Rosen collided and Kadri ended up in the lap of goaltender Jordan Binnington. It knocked Binnington out of the game — and the series — with a lowerbody injury.
In the aftermath, Kadri received death threats and racial slurs. Some of the hateful comments were shared on Instagram through the account dedicated to the Kadri family cat, Jazzy. The NHL Players’ Association condemned the attacks Tuesday.
“People need to be aware that this stuff still happens,” said Kadri, who is of Lebanese descent. “It’s hurtful. I know a lot of people might not have to deal with that and they might not understand what it feels like, but people are trying, which I appreciate.”
Tuesday
RANGERS 4, HURRICANES
1: In New York, Andrew Copp had a goal and two assists, and Frank Vatrano and Adam Fox each had a goal and an assist as New York beat Carolina in Game 4 on Tuesday night, evening the second-round series.
Mika Zibanejad also scored, Ryan Lindgren had two assists and Igor Shesterkin stopped 30 shots for the Rangers, who won their fifth straight at home in the postseason. In the series, New York won two at home after opening with two losses at Carolina.
Teuvo Teravainen scored and Antti Raanta finished with 24 saves for the Hurricanes.
Game 5 is in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Thursday night.
OILERS 5, FLAMES 3: In Edmonton, Alberta, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored his second goal of the game with 3:27 left in regulation as Edmonton beat Calgary to take a 3-1 lead in the second-round playoff series.
Evander Kane scored his NHL-leading 11th and 12th goals of the postseason, and Zach Hyman added a goal for Edmonton. Leon Draisaitl added two assists and Mike Smith made 29 saves.
Connor McDavid also had two assists. He has 25 points in 11 playoff games for the Oilers, who earned a third straight victory over their provincial rival.
Calgary will look to stave off elimination Thursday at home in Game 5.