Kadri pots winner as Avs take game 4

*Photo from the Boston Globe*

Colorado leads series 3-1

   Yeah, I think Nazem Kadri is pretty back. Nathan MacKinnon scored, Kadri scored the game winning goal, and the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning with a 3-2 victory on Wednesday night in Tampa Bay.

   After missing 4 games due to hand surgery, Kadri got back on the ice and delivered in the biggest moment for the Avalanche. His OT goal gave the Avalanche a commanding 3-1 series lead, just one win away from hoisting the Stanley Cup, with the potential to do it in game 5.

   Kadri said of his winning goal that "Sitting here right now it's kind of surreal. I just was excited to join the team again and be in the dressing room. This is what has I've been working on my whole life pretty much, so it was certainly exciting to get back in the lineup."

   The only goal of the first period came just 36 seconds into the game, when Anthony Cirelli scored his 3rd goal of the playoffs. On the power play 5:17 into the second period, MacKinnon got the Avalanche on the board, making it 1-1 on his 12th goal of the playoffs. Victor Hedman scored at the 10:42 mark of the period, making it 2-1 Lightning after two periods.

   In the 3rd period, Andrew Cogliano got the Avalanche back, tying the game 2-2 on his 3rd goal of the playoffs, coming 2:53 into the 3rd period with assists from Darren Helm and Nico Sturm. That forced OT, where Kadri scored his 7th goal of the playoffs, assisted by Artturi Lehkonen and Darcy Kuemper 12:02 into overtime.

   MacKinnon said of winning in overtime that "It's cool, for sure, but we have to focus on how to get the next one. Home ice has been a big thing for us all season, regular season and the playoffs. We'll use it. For sure, the fans are awesome right now. We'll come out fast and hopefully keep it that way."

   Getting the start in net after a brutal game 3 was Darcy Kuemper, who had a big game in net to give the Avalanche a win. Kuemper stopped 37 of the 39 shots that he faced, posting a .949 save percentage in his 3rd win of the series.

   Back in net for the Lightning was Andrei Vasilevskiy, who couldn't match Kuemper in game 4. Vasilevskiy turned aside 34 out of the 37 shots on goal the Avalanche sent his way, recording a .919 save percentage in the loss.

   Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, asked about falling to down 3-1 in the series, said that "The feeling stinks right now, obviously, but the series wasn't won tonight. We know what it feels like to be in their shoes and have a chance obviously to win at home. It's not an easy thing to do. It's a pretty nerve-wracking day. For us, our backs are against the wall. We've done it before in these playoffs. We're going to have to do it again"

   Up next, game 5 of the series shifts back to Denver on Friday night. There, the Avalanche will look to clinch and hoist the Stanley Cup at home, while the Lightning try to win and force a game 6.