The success of the Colorado Avalanche in reaching the Stanley Cup Final was a massive boost for the organization as it erased the negative image suffered by the team.
The Avalanche was able to bounce back from a two-goal deficit in the third period and win the game in overtime on a goal by Artturi Lehkonen, who was acquired from the New York Rangers at the trade deadline.
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The team will now face the winner of the Eastern Conference final, which will be decided between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers. The Rangers are leading the series, 2-1, and will play Game 4 on Tuesday.
After falling behind by two goals, the Avalanche scored four unanswered goals, including three by Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog. They bounced back despite the presence of Zack Kassian, who forced the game to overtime. Nathan MacKinnon recorded four assists.
Despite the impressive performance of the opposing team’s stars in Game 4, the Avalanche’s moves at the trade deadline helped it reach the Western Conference finals.
Injuries plague Colorado
General manager Joe Sakic, the captain of the team’s 2001 Stanley Cup team, made the necessary moves at the deadline. He brought in players such as Andrew Cogliano and Artturi Lehkonen to help the penalty kill.
Before being traded to Colorado, the Finnish forward scored the game-winning goal in the third round of the playoffs for the Montreal Canadiens last season. Cogliano, who was also acquired at the deadline, suffered an injury.
The addition of these players allowed the Avalanche to improve their roster and reach the Stanley Cup Final. They joined the likes of MacKinnon and Landeskog, who had been leading the team in scoring.
The team survived the injuries that affected its roster during the playoffs. Defenseman Sam Girard was missing in action for the season due to an injury he suffered in the second round. Additionally, center Nazem Kadri was suspended for Game 3 after being shoved into the boards.
Nazem Kadri’s thumb injury
ESPN reported that Kadri, who suffered a thumb injury during the playoffs, had surgery on Monday. It is unclear whether he will be able to play in the Stanley Cup finals after the team advanced to the championship series with a win over Edmonton.
“Naz has been one of our best players all season, clutch guy,” said MacKinnon. “Hoping he’s doing well and we’ll get him back next series.”
Kadri suffered the injury after being hit from behind by Evander Kane during the third period of the Avalanche’s 4-2 win over the Oilers on Saturday. Kane received a one-game suspension.
Initially, Kane was given a five-minute major for boarding. After reviewing the incident, the league’s department of player safety ruled that the hit was dangerous. However, it noted that Kane’s previous suspensions and fines also added to the severity of the injury.
The 31-year-old Kadri leads the team with 28 goals and 87 points. Through 13 games in the playoffs, he led the team with six goals and 14 points. TSN was the first to report that Kadri underwent surgery.
