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Avs' Nazem Kadri out for Series vs. Oilers After Suffering Injury on Evander Kane Hit

Jun 5, 2022
EDMONTON, AB - JUNE 04: Colorado Avalanche Center Nazem Kadri (91) in action in the warm up during the Edmonton Oilers versus the Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals, game 3 on June 04, 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB - JUNE 04: Colorado Avalanche Center Nazem Kadri (91) in action in the warm up during the Edmonton Oilers versus the Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals, game 3 on June 04, 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri has been ruled out for the remainder of the Western Conference Finals against the Edmonton Oilers, head coach Jared Bednar confirmed while speaking with reporters following a 4-2 Game 3 win on Saturday.

Kadri left the first period of Saturday's game after taking a hit from behind into the end boards by Oilers forward Evander Kane.

"He's out. He'll be out for the series at least, if not longer," Bednar said. "I mean, the hit, it's the most dangerous play in hockey. I mean, he puts him in head-first from behind, you know, eight feet off the boards. I'll leave it at that."

As Kadri was trying to control the puck in the offensive zone just about one minute into the game, Kane crosschecked him in the numbers and knocked him into the boards. Kane was assessed a five-minute major penalty for boarding, and Kadri did not return to the game.

Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog also shared his thoughts on the hit in his postgame comments, telling reporters that he's sure the NHL Department of Safety will review it for a possible fine or suspension.

"I was on the bench, but I don't like it," Landeskog said. "You know, those are the ones that kind of gives you the chills down your spine. You're taught from a young age that you don't do that and especially in that distance from the boards. So, it's a dangerous play, and I don't know what else to say. I'm sure they'll take a look at it.

Kane was last suspended for an on-ice incident in February 2020 for elbowing Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk. He also served a 21-game suspension for violating the NHL's COVID-19 protocols in September 2021, but that wasn't an on-ice incident and wouldn't be factored into a potential suspension for boarding Kadri.

Kadri has been one of the best players for the Avalanche this year, tallying 28 goals and 59 assists in 71 regular-season games. The 31-year-old entered Saturday's game with six goals and eight assists in 12 playoff games.

With Kadri sidelined, J.T. Compher, who scored the game-winning goal in Game 3, could replace him on the second line. It's unclear who the Avs might call up to join the team for the remainder of the Western Conference Finals.

Colorado holds a 3-0 lead over Edmonton and could clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2001 with a win in Game 4 on Monday at Rogers Place. 

Nazem Kadri's Electric Game 2 Draws Rave Reviews as Avalanche Down Oilers

Jun 3, 2022
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 31: Nazem Kadri #91 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period in Game One of the Western Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 31, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 31: Nazem Kadri #91 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period in Game One of the Western Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 31, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

The Colorado Avalanche have taken a 2-0 Western Conference Finals series lead over the Edmonton Oilers after Nadem Kadri powered the Avs to a 4-0 home win on Thursday.

A scoreless second-period tie turned into a 3-0 Avalanche lead in 2:04 thanks largely to Kadri, who had three primary assists and now has six goals and eight helpers in 12 playoff games.

Kadri initially received credit for the first goal, but that one eventually went to Artturi Lehkonen, who deflected it in.

Josh Manson and Mikko Rantanen scored the second and third goals, respectively.

Kadri did excellent work on the third by feeding Rantanen on a two-on-one for the insurance goal, which occurred six minutes into the second period.

That was more than enough for the Avalanche, who shut down the Oilers thanks in part to goaltender Pavel Francouz's 24 saves. Nathan MacKinnon also added a late power-play goal for the 4-0 win.

Kadri was this game's superstar, though, and Twitter gave him due credit for his performance.

https://twitter.com/MattDSchubert/status/1532536810856861696
https://twitter.com/ConorMichael28/status/1532540791913975809

Kadri, who scored a goal during the Avalanche's 8-6 Game 1 win, will now look to help lead Colorado to a Game 3 win when the Avs visit Edmonton on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.

Avalanche Praised for Explosive Offensive Outburst in Wild Game 1 Win vs. Oilers

Jun 1, 2022
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 31: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates with teammates Gabriel Landeskog #92 and Valeri Nichushkin #13 after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in Game One of the Western Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 31, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 31: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates with teammates Gabriel Landeskog #92 and Valeri Nichushkin #13 after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in Game One of the Western Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 31, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

In the time it takes you to read this sentence, the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers may have scored two more goals.

Tuesday's Game 1 of the Western Conference Final was a track meet on ice that Colorado won 8-6. The Avalanche's attack overwhelmed Edmonton's defense from the start, and they are now three wins away from their first Stanley Cup Final since 2001.

A high-scoring game wasn't exactly surprising with the star power in a series featuring Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, but few probably envisioned five combined goals in the first period and six combined goals in the second period.

Social media could barely keep up with the pace:

https://twitter.com/minter/status/1531793816709222400
https://twitter.com/alex_kirshner/status/1531810188646395904

In a contest where seemingly everyone stuffed the stat sheet, J.T. Compher (two goals) and Cale Makar (one goal and two assists) stood out for Colorado, while McDavid (one goal and two assists) did for Edmonton.

The first period saw Evander Kane open the scoring just for Compher to answer in a mere 36 seconds. That was far longer than Makar needed when he responded to Zach Hyman's goal with one of his own just nine seconds later. The Makar goal was somewhat controversial because of an offside review, but it stood.

Intermission didn't cool down the respective offenses, as goals from Nazem Kadri, Ryan McLeod, Mikko Rantanen and Compher in the first seven minutes of the second period made it 6-3.

The second period also marked the end of the day for both goaltenders with Edmonton pulling Mike Smith for Mikko Koskinen and Colorado inserting Pavel Francouz because Darcy Kuemper suffered an upper-body injury. McDavid managed a goal against the backup, but the Avalanche still led 7-4 heading to the third.

Nothing about Tuesday's game was straightforward, though, so it followed that Derek Ryan and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored to make it 7-6 and put all the pressure on Colorado's side in the closing stretch.

However, Gabriel Landeskog's empty-netter ended the tension for the victors, who will look to defend home ice once again in Thursday's Game 2.

Avalanche's Darcy Kuemper Exits with Upper-Body Injury in Game 1 vs. Oilers

Jun 1, 2022
ST. LOUIS, MO - MAY 27: Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) waits for the play to come in on him during Round 2 game 6 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Colorado Avalanche and the St. Louis Blues on May 27, 2022, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis MO (Photo by Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - MAY 27: Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) waits for the play to come in on him during Round 2 game 6 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Colorado Avalanche and the St. Louis Blues on May 27, 2022, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis MO (Photo by Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Colorado Avalanche announced that goaltender Darcy Kuemper left and is doubtful to return to Game 1 of his team's Western Conference Final matchup against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday with an upper-body injury.

It's unclear how Kuemper suffered the injury, but he did leave on his own power in the second period after speaking with head coach Jared Bednar.

https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1531812657514303488

Pavel Francouz replaced Kuemper, who made 13 saves on 16 shots in 27-plus minutes. The Avs led 6-3 when he left the game.

The 32-year-old Kuemper went 37-12-4 with a 2.54 GAA and .921 save percentage in his first year with the Avs. The 10-year NHL veteran played for the Minnesota Wild, Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks before arriving in Colorado.

Thanks in part to his efforts, the Avs finished with a Western Conference-high 119 points. They have home-ice advantage in the conference final versus the Oilers as they search for their first Stanley Cup appearance since 2000.

Darren Helm Plays 'Unlikely Hero' with Epic Game-Winner for Avalanche in Game 6

May 28, 2022
Colorado Avalanche center Darren Helm (43) in the second period of Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche center Darren Helm (43) in the second period of Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

If you didn't realize that Darren Helm is still playing in the NHL, then you certainly realized it on Friday night following his game-winning goal in the Colorado Avalanche's 3-2 Game 6 victory over the St. Louis Blues. 

Helm was the "unlikely hero" in Game 6, scoring with just 4.9 seconds remaining in regulation to send the Avalanche to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2002, and fans quickly took to Twitter to laud the 15-year veteran. 

Helm signed with the Avalanche ahead of the 2021-22 season after 14 years with the Detroit Red Wings. He tallied seven goals and eight assists in 68 games during the regular season. He entered Friday's game with just one assist in nine playoff games. 

While it's certainly a great site to see Helm put one on the board, the Avalanche will need their big guns, Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog and Cale Makar, to name a few, to step up in the Western Conference Finals as the Edmonton Oilers are no slouch. 

Avalanche Roasted for Coughing Up 2 Leads in Game 5 Loss vs. Blues

May 26, 2022
St. Louis Blues center Tyler Bozak, middle, celebrates his overtime goal against the Colorado Avalanche with right wing Alexei Toropchenko in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in Denver. At left is Colton Parayko. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
St. Louis Blues center Tyler Bozak, middle, celebrates his overtime goal against the Colorado Avalanche with right wing Alexei Toropchenko in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in Denver. At left is Colton Parayko. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Nathan MacKinnon had himself an incredible Wednesday night. His teammates, well...not so much.

The Colorado Avalanche blew two separate leads, wasted MacKinnon's hat trick and threw away a chance to end their second-round series against the St. Louis Blues, losing Game 5 in overtime, 5-4.

Tyler Bozak was the man of the hour for the Blues, scoring the game-winning goal in the extra period.

Hockey fans, meanwhile, let the Avalanche hear it after they let this one slip away:

The Avalanche had every opportunity to win both this game and series. They held a 3-0 lead early in the second period, with MacKinnon—who hadn't scored a goal in the first four games of the series—finding the back of the net twice in the first period alone.

But goals from Vladimir Tarasenko, Robert Thomas and Justin Faulk erased that lead. 

No matter—MacKinnon responded by scoring one of the goals of the playoffs in the third period after St. Louis to once again give Colorado the lead.

https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1529652467377623040

But yet again, the Blues had an answer, as Thomas scored his second goal of the night with just 56 seconds remaining to push the game into overtime.

From there, Bozac silenced a stunned Colorado crowd and guaranteed at least one more game in this series. 

"You sulk for three minutes, and you move on," Gabriel Landeskog told reporters about how the Avalanche would respond to the soul-crushing loss. "It's playoff hockey. It's not supposed to be easy."

No, it isn't, but plenty of Avalanche players will be licking their wounds after that loss, including goalie Darcy Kuemper, who gave up five goals on 30 shots. The Avs will need him, and the rest of the roster not named MacKinnon, to brush themselves off before the series returns to St. Louis for Friday's Game 6 at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.

Blues' Craig Berube Condemns Racist Threats Made Toward Avalanche's Nazem Kadri

May 25, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 22: Head Coach of the St Louis Blues Craig Berube speaks to players on his bench during the first period of his game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on February 22, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 22: Head Coach of the St Louis Blues Craig Berube speaks to players on his bench during the first period of his game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on February 22, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)

St. Louis Blues head coach Craig Berube condemned the racist remarks and threats directed toward Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri while speaking with the media on Wednesday ahead of Game 5 of their second-round series. 

"I just want to comment on my 'no comment' the other day," Berube said. "I'm not on social media. I was aware of a threat made to Nazem. Not the racist stuff. In no way is it acceptable by the St. Louis Blues or anybody else for him to have to go through that."

Berube initially declined to comment on the situation. 

The NHL Players' Association also released a statement Tuesday condemning the racist remarks. 

Kadri, who is Muslim and of Lebanese descent, and his family have received racist and threatening comments following his collision with Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington in Game 3 of their series. Binnington suffered a lower-body injury on the accident and has been sidelined since. 

According to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski, law enforcement have been investigating the threats and there was an increased police presence at the Avalanche's team hotel in St. Louis for Games 3 and 4 of the series. 

With Binnington sidelined, the Avalanche have won Games 3 and 4 in dominant fashion. After the racist remarks toward Kadri began during Game 3, he went on to score three goals and tally an assist to help Colorado win the next game 6-3. 

Kadri is one of the most talented forwards in the league and has been a solid addition to the Avalanche lineup since joining the team in a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs ahead of the 2019-20 season. 

In 71 regular-season games this year, he tallied 28 goals and 59 assists for 87 points. He has been just as effective in the playoffs, notching five goals and five assists for 10 points in eight games. 

The Avalanche will host the Blues in Game 5 of their second-round series on Wednesday night and will aim to punch their ticket to the Western Conference Finals with a win. 

Nazem Kadri's Wife Shares Screenshots of Racist Messages Avalanche Star Has Received

May 24, 2022
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 17: Nazem Kadri #91of the Colorado Avalanche shoots against the St. Louis Blues in Game One of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 17, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 17: Nazem Kadri #91of the Colorado Avalanche shoots against the St. Louis Blues in Game One of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 17, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Colorado Avalanche star Nazem Kadri remains the subject of racist online attacks after recording a hat trick in his team's 6-3 win over the St. Louis Blues on Monday.

Jazzy Kadri, Nazem's wife, shared a collection of offensive direct messages on Instagram targeting her husband, per Mike Stephens of Sports Illustrated.

"Great game tonight, very proud of Nazem," Jazzy wrote on her Instagram story. "But I wanted to shine light on what the last 48 hours has looked like for us as a family."

Several messages referenced Kadri's Muslim faith. The 31-year-old was born in Canada and is of Lebanese descent.

The latest string of attacks began after Game 3 of Colorado's second-round matchup with the Blues. During the game, Kadri was involved in a collision with St. Louis goaltender Jordan Binnington that knocked him out of the game and the rest of the series.

Hockey player Akim Aliu tweeted the next day that he spoke to Kadri, who said he was the "subject to so many racist attacks and threats since last night that police had to be brought in."

The Avalanche said in a statement that they were working with local law enforcement to investigate the threats, per Greg Wyshynski of ESPN.

"Unfortunately, I've been dealing with that a long time," Kadri told TNT after Monday's game (h/t Wyshynski). "That's sad to say, but I'm getting good at putting in the rearview mirror. It's a big deal. I try to act like it's not. Just try to keep moving forward."

There was an increased police presence around the team's hotel and the players' entrance ahead of Monday's game in St. Louis.

The series now returns to Colorado for Game 5 on Wednesday with the Avalanche holding a 3-1 lead.    

Avalanche's Nazem Kadri Discusses Threats, Racist Comments After Binnington Injury

May 24, 2022
Colorado Avalanche's Nazem Kadri pauses during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues Monday, May 23, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Colorado Avalanche's Nazem Kadri pauses during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues Monday, May 23, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

After posting a hat trick in a 6-3 win over the St. Louis Blues in Game 4 of their second-round playoff series on Monday, Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri addressed racist and threatening messages he received after an incident in Game 3.

During Colorado's 5-2 Game 3 win on Saturday, Kadri and Blues defenseman Calle Rosen crashed into Blues goalie Jordan Binnington, who suffered a lower-body injury that knocked him out for the remainder of the game and the rest of the series.

Although Kadri wasn't penalized on the play or disciplined by the NHL, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reported Sunday that the Avalanche were working with police in St. Louis to ensure Kadri's safety after he received threatening messages related to the Binnington injury.

After netting three goals in Colorado's Game 4 victory, Kadri said the following regarding the threats in an interview with TNT (h/t Wyshynski):

"Unfortunately, I've been dealing with that a long time. That's sad to say, but I'm getting good at putting in the rearview mirror. It's a big deal. I try to act like it's not. Just try to keep moving forward. I know those messages I got don't reflect every single fan in St. Louis. But for those that hate, [the hat trick was] for them."

Kadri, who is a Muslim of Lebanese descent, called the messages "hateful" and "extreme."

Despite the nature of the messages, Kadri said the St. Louis police assured him and made him feel safe ahead of Game 4.

Kadri also addressed comments made by Blues head coach Craig Berube, who said "Look at Kadri's reputation" when asked for his opinion on the play that injured Binnington.

Kadri said: "It started with their head coach, probably. He made some comments that I wasn't a fan of. I guess he's never heard of bulletin board material."

The 31-year-old Kadri has been suspended multiple times during his career for on-ice incidents, including an eight-game suspension during last season's playoffs for an illegal hit to Blues defenseman Justin Faulk's head.

Amid all of the controversy, Kadri rose to the occasion on Monday in a 6-3 win that gave the Avs a 3-1 series lead.

Kadri finished with three goals and one assist, marking the continuation of the career year he enjoyed during the regular season.

In 12 previous seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Avalanche, Kadri never posted more than 61 points during a single campaign, but he had 28 goals and 59 assists for 87 points in 71 regular-season games this season.

Kadri was one of the top performers on a team that also got huge years out of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar, Gabriel Landeskog and others, giving the Avs the most points in the Western Conference with 119.

Now, Kadri and the Avalanche are one win away from reaching the Western Conference Finals, which would mark Colorado's deepest playoff run since 2002.

Nazem Kadri Has 'A Game for the Ages' As Avalanche Beat Ville Husso, Blues in Game 4

May 24, 2022
ST LOUIS, MO - MAY 23: Nazem Kadri #91 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues in the second period during Game Four of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on May 23, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - MAY 23: Nazem Kadri #91 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues in the second period during Game Four of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on May 23, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri has been the subject of racist threats and attacks online after he incidentally collided with St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington on a play that knocked him out for the remainder of the second-round series with a lower-body injury.

In Monday's Game 4, Kadri got some revenge by recording his first career playoff hat trick to lead the Avs to a 6-3 win to take a 3-1 series lead.

St. Louis players were noticeably targeting Kadri throughout the game. The 31-year-old didn't let it deter him as he stayed in attack mode and let his feelings be known to the St. Louis crowd.

Fans praised Kadri throughout the night for one of the best performances of his career, despite what he had to deal with on and off the ice.

https://twitter.com/Tyler_Greever/status/1528949624601513984
https://twitter.com/laurkelly24/status/1528938745269039104

St. Louis' valiant offensive performance was overshadowed by the struggles of goalie Ville Husso, who allowed four goals in the second period that pretty much decided the game.

Husso has now allowed 18 goals in five postseason appearances with four starts. Whereas St. Louis may have had a fighting chance with Binnington in the net, the team's chances of advancing have diminished significantly with Husso thrust into the starting role.

Fans online couldn't hide their displeasure with Husso's poor performance on Monday.

https://twitter.com/mikeystephens81/status/1528933688540647425

Husso had a strong regular season with a 25-7-6 record in 38 starts, but he just hasn't been sharp in the playoffs. St. Louis has to hope that he emerges from his slump and returns to the form that helped him find success earlier this year.

However, the Blues' confidence is likely low with Husso in the net as they're on the brink of elimination heading into Wednesday's Game 5 in Colorado.

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