(Bleacher Report)
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.
Colorado Avalanche @Avalanche
Okay okay okay we’re catching up with ONE GOAL. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/CTdgZKTsoT
Josh Manson and Mikko Rantanen scored the second and third goals, respectively.
Colorado Avalanche @Avalanche
TWO GOAL#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/Jqw2BVLtjn
Colorado Avalanche @Avalanche
Burgundy and Blue Goal!!!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/30hkFGQTde
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.
Brandon Krisztal @BKDenverSports
It feels like Kadri is angling for 1st Star of the night…he’s got my vote so far!@KOAColorado #GoAvsGo
StatsCentre @StatsCentre
Fastest 3 assists by a player in a #StanleyCup Playoff game:
1: 13- BOS’s Ray Bourque (May 6, 1988 vs NJD)
1: 55- VAN’s Henrik Sedin (May 22, 2011 vs SJS)
2: 00- STL’s Chris Pronger (April 27, 1998 vs LAK)
2: 04- @Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri (Tonight in the 2nd period against EDM) pic.twitter.com/ODLCIgGG2h
NHL Public Relations @PR_NHL
Talk about an @Avalanche of goals. 🏔️@43_Kadri had three assists in the middle frame to match the franchise record for most in a playoff period (also Risto Siltanen in Game 5 of 1987 DSF & Joe Sakic in Game 2 of 1996 SCF). #NHLStats: https://t.co/eKwm5QTTFV #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/bH7Na0zvEn
Chris Johnston @reporterchris
Of all the players shown the door by the #leafs in recent years, Nazem Kadri truly is the one who got away.
Arielle Orsuto @ArielleOrsuto
A three point night already for Nazem Kadri. He’s been alright this postseason.#goavsgo #9sports #standwithnaz
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.
This article was published at Bleacher Report. Read it in its entirety here. Read More