Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals took place tonight. The Avalanche are leading the series 2 games to 1. Colorado having won both of it’s home games, are looking to take a commanding lead in the series; while the Lightning need another victory tonight to tie up the series, as it shifts back to Denver for the next game.
Here is how the two teams would line up:
In the first period, it would be the Lightning who would get on the board first. The goal coming 36 seconds into the game. The goal was scored by Anthony Cirelli, his third goal of the playoffs. The lone assist on the play coming from Erik Cernak. A shot from the point by Cernak would get through a maze of bodies and knock off Darcy Kuemper’s mask. The rebound would be put home immediately by Cirelli. The first period would end with the Lightning up 1-0.
In the second period, the Avalanche would tie up the game. The goal, scored via the power play, was scored by Nathan MacKinnon, his 12th goal of the playoffs. The assists on the play would come from Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar. MacKinnon would fire a cross ice pass to Rantanen, who kept the shot low. The rebound went off Vasilevskiy’s pad and into the crease, where it went off MacKinnon’s skate and in the net.
Before the end of the period, the Lightning would once again establish their lead in the game. The goal coming from Victor Hedman, his fourth goal of the playoffs. The lone assist on the play coming from Jan Ruuta. Hedman skated into the zone, one on four, moved to his right and took a backhanded shot at the right faceoff dot. The shot fooled Kuemper, who saw it go underneath his blocker and in the net. The Lightning would take a 2-1 lead heading into the third period.
Early in the third period, the Avalanche would once again tie up the game. The goal would come from Andrew Cogliano, his third goal of the playoffs. The assists on the play would come from Nico Strum and Darren Helm. A shot from the point would take a weird deflection in front from Strum. The rebound would be backhanded home by Cogliano in front. The slow floated shot that would get over Vasilevskiy’s glove. Regulation would end with both teams tied at 2, heading into overtime.
In the overtime session, the Avalanche would win the game. The goal coming from Nazem Kadri, in his first game back from injury. It would be his seventh goal of the playoffs. The assists on the play would come from Arturi Lehkonen and Darcy Kuemper. A nice move by Kadri to get around Mikhail Sergachev and get the puck to his forehand. He would take the shot that would get through Vasilevskiy’s blocker and the puck would nestle into the roof of the net. The Avalanche have a commanding three games to one lead in the series as it shifts back to Denver.
Darcy Kuemper of the Avalanche faced 40 shots, making 38 saves; while Andre Vasilevskiy of the Lightning would face 38 shots, making 35 saves.
Three Stars:
Nazem Kadri
Victor Hedman
Anthony Cirelli
Next Game:
The next game these two teams play will be on Friday June 24th at 8p on ABC.
TXHT may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through Cool Hockey ads/links in this article.
The Xperience Hockey Talk 
One thought on “Kadri Scores OT Winner In First Game Back”