Kelsey Hammond
EDMONTON, ALBERTA – The Colorado Avalanche are just one win away from the Stanley Cup Finals, after a stirring 4-2 victory tonight in front of a loud Rogers Place partisan crowd here in favor of the Edmonton Oilers. But man, did it come at a cost.
Nazem Kadri took a cross-check in the back from Evander Kane that sent him flying into the boards. He did not return to the game and is out for the rest of the series at a minimum, coach Jared Bednar said. Kadri lay on the ice for what seemed like a long while until the Avalanche trainer could reach him.
Evander Kane received a five-minute boarding injury but many believe the play will get looked by the league, including the Avs’ captain, Gabe Landeskog.
“I don’t like it. You know, those are the ones that kind of give you the chills down your spine,” said Gabe Landeskog, ” It’s taught from a young age that you don’t do that, especially at that distance from the boards.”
There were some reports that Kadri was seen with an arm in a sling after the game.
J.T.Compher moved up to center the second line and the team will continue to rely on their depth throughout the rest of the series. Maybe we’ll see Compher take Kadri’s spot outright, or maybe we’ll see Mikko Rantanen drop down to a second-line center and Artturi Lehkonen goes back up on the top line like he’s done occasionally? During the regular season, it was talked about plenty of times, but it’s going to be the next-man-up mentality.
“A lot of guys did a good job to step up.” said J.T. Compher, who had the game-winning goal, coming out of the penalty box after tripping Leon Draisaitl, then outmuscling his man before beating Mike Smith through the 5-hole. Compher now has five goals in the last four games. Safe to say he’s on a hot streak and scoring big goals for this team.
Coach Jared Bednar has been pretty tight-lipped about his players’ injuries throughout playoffs so I’m not sure we will get an official diagnosis unless it’s something more serous – ergo, he’s done for the season. It doesn’t appear to be the case here. Not yet anyway.
“He’ll be out for the series at least, if not longer,” said Bednar, ” I mean the hit, it’s the most dangerous play in hockey.”
Kane has had a couple of incidents this series that have been questionable and this one might have been the last straw.
Bottom line: the Avs got the “W” and will have to finish out this series strong. Losing a guy like Kadri hurts but this isn’t the time to get revenge or let your emotions get the best of you. The team is so close to their first Stanley Cup appearance in 21 years, they can almost taste it.