The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Nazem Kadri's overtime goal put the two-time defending champions to the sword. And it made history in a way we haven't seen before.
According to NHL Public Relations, Kadri became the ninth player in league history to score an overtime goal in his Stanley Cup Final debut. However, he's the first player to score that overtime goal in a game that wasn't Game 1.
Kadri's goal initially came without reaction, as no one realized it went into the back of the net. The goal drew comparisons to Patrick Kane's Stanley Cup-winning goal in the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals.
The 31-year-old star has had a wild playoff campaign this year. He ran into St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington in the Western Conference Semi-Finals. The goaltender then threw a water bottle at Kadri during a post-game interview.
In Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, Kadri suffered an injury after being hit by Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane.
The former Toronto Maple Leaf scored 28 goals and 87 points in 71 playoff games this season. Kadri has added seven goals and 20 points in the playoffs, including Wednesday night's winner.
“He's a true warrior,” Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews told NHL Network's Jackie Redmond post-game. “He's such a key player for us. For him to play a good role for us tonight and get that goal is huge.”
The Avalanche head back to Denver with a 3-1 series lead, and with a win in Game 5, they can dethrone the Lightning. Tampa, meanwhile, is looking to sweep the next three games to clinch a three-peat.