Avalanche Quick Hits

Initial observations from Game 5 by Kyle Fredrickson, The Denver Post

Big Val

What an amazing series for Valeri Nichushkin. He scored in the second period to tie a franchise record with four goals over a Stanley Cup Final — a mark in team history that was previously met only by Joe Sakic and Alex Tanguay (2001). The feat is more incredible when you consider that Nichushkin had four goals total over his first 42 career postseason games prior to 2022. The big Russian is making a solid case as the breakout star of the NHL playoffs this year.

Penalty party

The penalty box was busy on Friday night with eight combined infractions. For Colorado: JT Compher (high sticking/holding), Nazem Kadri (hooking), Cale Makar (tripping) and too many men on the ice. For Tampa Bay: Steven Stamkos (tripping), Alex Killorn (holding) and Ross Colton (high sticking). The intensity and chirping reached new levels with a rowdy home crowd on edge all game. However, this Stanley Cup Final has been largely void of significant fighting penalties with both teams keeping their cool.

C’mon Kuemper

The Avalanche mostly controlled the first period with a 12-11 shots advantage despite Tampa Bay’s edge in power-play chances (2-1). But Colorado still trailed by a goal after starting netminder Darcy Kuemper got beat on what looked like a routine save opportunity. Tampa Bay defenseman Jan Rutta’s slapper in transition snuck beneath Kuemper’s glove with no Lightning bodies screening his vision of the shot. Give Kuemper credit for a handful of phenomenal saves to begin the night. But a nasty habit of letting in some easy pucks made a sold- out Ball Arena crowd plenty nervous.