Avs go up 3-1 in Cup Final thanks to Nazem Kadri’s magical moment

Three weeks ago, Nazem Kadri helped on three Colorado Avalanche goals as the All-Star continued his run toward a Conn Smythe Trophy for postseason MVP.

Two weeks ago, Kadri was getting off an operating table with his season all but over due to a dirty hit that caused a thumb injury.

Last week Kadri couldn’t hold a stick.

On Wednesday, Kadri hit the ice in a pivotal Game 4.

Twelve minutes into overtime, the 31-year-old walked into the Tampa Bay zone as the Lightning changed lines. He deked, charging into the slot, and shoveled a puck high to the goal.

“I just tried to make a little move there and go far side; I thought he made the save for a second, and next thing you know, people are sprinting towards you,”

After some confusion, it was clear Kadri found twine, making it 3-2 Avs in OT.

I’ve been waiting for this my whole life, so I figured I’d stop waiting and just try and join the party,” Kadri said.

After 18 days of rushing a recovery, Kadri joined the party and reaffirmed his legend through this Cup run.

“I’m not surprised, to be honest with you,” Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog said. “That’s the kind of guy he is.

He’d do anything to win. It inspired everybody else to a see a teammate like that try to come back.”

Kadri wasn’t even healthy enough to take faceoffs, but he was healthy enough to win it.

“Rollercoaster of emotions, thinking I was done and then having a sliver of hope. Sitting here right now, it’s kind of surreal,” Kadri said. “I felt good enough to play.”

Kadri won Game 4 and pushed the Avs 60 minutes away from the franchise’s third Stanley Cup.

They’ll chase that dream up 3-1 on Friday night back in Denver. The Avs have not clinched a playoff series at home since 2008.