Kadri Makes Mark With Inspiring Game 4 Performance

“For those who hate, that ones for them.”

Nazem Kadri not only articulated his message – specifically that one on a postgame TNT interview – but he fully delivered his powerful message following the Avalanche’s Game 4 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Monday night at Enterprise Center. The Avalanche centerman recorded a hat trick and paced his team with four points (3G, 1A) in the 6-3 win over the Blues in the Second Round series of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

While Kadri shined with a stellar performance, the circumstances heading into Game 4 were unsettling and arduous. 

Video: COL@STL, Gm4: Kadri notches 1st NHL playoff hat trick

They came as a result of a collision between Kadri and St. Louis defenseman Calle Rosen and netminder Jordan Binnington, who suffered a series-ending knee injury and created controversy with Kadri after tossing a water bottle at the Avs forward in his postgame TNT interview. 

Following the play, Kadri – who is Muslim and of Lebanese descent – was on the receiving end of repulsive messages that he described in his words as, “extreme, racial and threatening.” The extent and abundance of the outrage was so significant that the St. Louis police became involved in the matter and worked with the Avalanche organization to implement additional safety precautions outside the team’s hotel and the arena. 

But even in the wake of the outrageous and unnecessary backlash, Kadri didn’t just elevate his compete level, he rose above the hatred in a civil manner as he executed his impressive game like the consummate pro he is. 

“I wanted to come out tonight and put a mark on this game,” Kadri said on Monday night following the win and his feel-good performance for the ages. “Especially after what happened. I tried to do that as best as possible. Sometimes you’ve got to be patient. You’ve got to wait. I was able to strike early in the second period. I was able to get the mojo going individually and as a team. It felt good, especially on the road. It was pure.” 

The off-ice indecencies were taxing alone, but on top of the nonsense that Kadri was burdened with, the contentious series between the Avs and Blues continued with a pivotal Game 4 on deck. 

As Game 4 ensued, Colorado was trailing 1-0 following the first intermission. But the Avalanche’s explosive offense responded with an authoritative effort as they buried three goals in the span of 1:42 and four goals in the span of 4:53. Kadri helped command the way with two strikes in the span of 3:30. 

Shortly after – or exactly 1:23 later – Erik Johnson netted the 1-1 equalizer for the Avs and his first goal of the playoffs, Kadri potted his first tally of the game. After winning a defensive zone faceoff draw, the puck dropped to Valeri Nichushkin, who returned the puck up ice back to Kadri where he jetted into the offensive zone and wired a shot under Blues netminder Ville Husso’s glove side. Devon Toews furthered the damage as he cashed in on a one timer 19 seconds after Kadri’s first strike. 

Video: Nazem Kadri on making a difference in Game 4

Now trailing 3-1, the Blues initiated attempts to rile Kadri up as Pavel Buchnevich hit the Avalanche forward in front of the St. Louis bench and David Perron swooped in with an additional cross check to his back. Both Buchnevich and Perron were reprimanded on the plays receiving respective roughing and cross checking minors. And while the Avalanche didn’t capitalize on the 5-on-3 power play directly, Kadri scored just moments after the penalty expired as he rifled a one timer – on a slick cross-slot feed by Bowen Byram – on the backdoor for his second goal of the game. 

“We cashed in on [ the penalties] and hurt them,” Kadri said. “Lose your cool, we’ll make you pay.”

The composure Kadri displayed is a testament to the collective buy-in from the entirety of this Avalanche group who have fully committed themselves to the process and making sacrifices in exchange for attaining the end goal, while abiding by the mantra, “This isn’t about ego it’s about winning.” And while Kadri’s sacrifices came at a cost no one should ever have to endure, he didn’t deviate from the objective. 

“I’m proud of him, I thought he was amazing,” Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar said postgame. “Especially with what’s gone on over the last 48 hours. Our talk coming into tonight’s game was to stay focused. We’re here to win a hockey game. I felt our guys were ready. The one guy that I was concerned about was Naz. But I thought he was amazing. Obviously, a great game from him. The focus and discipline. I’m proud of him.”

Kadri’s inspiring performance continued as he silenced even the hecklers in the crowd. He didn’t shy away from the magnitude of the moment nor from the spotlight that was cast on him – he embraced the scrutiny and deafened the noise with an exceptional performance on the ice and dignified poise off it.  

The 31-year-old completed the hat trick midway through the third period and in a deflating manner as the Blues had trimmed their deficit down 4-3 with two second-period power-play goals. On Kadri’s third tally of the night, he collected a puck in the left faceoff circle – retrieved by a tremendous forechecking effort by Nichushkin – and sniped his shot between the post and Husso’s blocker to give the Avalanche a 5-3 lead in their eventual 6-3 character victory. 

“That was a resilient win,” Kadri said. “Especially after their push in the second period. They did a great job getting those two power-play goals and trying to put some heat on us. I loved our third period. That’s back-to-back games now on the road. That’s tough to do. We didn’t really give them much. Gritty effort, very pesky, very mature. That was excellent.”

No one was more proud of Kadri’s incredible performance than his teammates. 

“I just want to say how proud we are of Naz,” Johnson said without being evoked on the topic yet during his postgame availability. “To go through all that crap the last couple of days, no person should have to go through that. He sure responded. 

“I felt so good for him,” Johnson continued. “Imagine being in his situation. It can’t be a fun thing. No human being should have to receive that type of treatment especially with a hockey game. It’s just insane. That being said, I think he liked being the villain tonight. He certainly stepped up for us.”

While the game itself was one that will stand out for years to come, the impact of the result itself has now poised the Avalanche with the opportunity to clinch the series should they win Game 5 on home ice at Ball Arena on Wednesday night and officially advance past the Second Round for the first time 2010. 

And for Kadri, it wasn’t just about rising above the unfathomable hate, but about setting an example and inspiring those who face similar episodes of adversity. While it’s easy to speak a bunch of senseless words especially shielded behind the safety net of anonymity, Kadri showed up. He faced the tumultuous commotion head on and demonstrated that nothing is more silencing than the magnitude of one’s actions and character. 

“It’s a good message,” Kadri said. “People need to be aware that this stuff still happens and that it’s hurtful. A lot of people don’t have to deal with that and they might not understand what it’s like to deal with that, but people are trying. Which I appreciate. At the end of the day, I’m a good hockey player. I just try to provide for my team. I try to put all of that aside. I just worry about some kids that aren’t as mentally tough as I am and have to go through that scrutiny and that criticism. That’s why I want to be the best I can to help.”