Kadri scored his first career playoff hat trick in the win over the Blues. There is a time and a place for this.
After being the subject of racist attacks and threats following his collision with Jordan Binnington, Colorado center Nazem Kadri scored a hat trick in a 6-3 win over St. Louis on Monday night to push the Blues to the brink of elimination.
I have been dealing with that for a long time. I am getting good at putting in the mirror. It is a big deal. I try to act like it is not. Kadri said in the postgame interview that he wanted to keep moving forward. For those that hate, that one is for them.
There was increased police presence at the team hotel and the entrance to the ice after local law enforcement was called in to investigate the threats made toward Kadri, which came in the aftermath of Saturday's Game 3 win by Colorado. Kadri and the Blues were chasing a loose puck when Kadri crashed into Binnington. Binnington was hurt in the first game of the series and was unable to play.
The NHL Department of Player Safety determined there was no supplemental discipline necessary for Kadri after the play. Kadri was questioned about his role in the injury.
Look at Kadri's reputation. He said nothing about Kadri, who was banned for eight games in the playoffs for an illegal check to the head.
Kadri said that Berube's comments upset him and gave him fuel for his Game 4 effort, which helped Colorado take a 3-1 lead in its second-round playoff series.
It started with their head coach. He made some comments that I did not like. Kadri said that he had never heard of bulletin board material.
The Blues were outplayed in the first period, but David Perron opened the scoring in the second. The game was tied at 1 after the first period, but the Avs scored in the second to take the lead.
Kadri scored his first of the game in just 1 minute and 23 seconds, beating Husso on the rush, and then motioning to the crowd with his hand to his ear.
19 seconds later, Toews scored for a 3-1 Colorado lead. Kadri drew the ire of the Blues.
Perron was hit by the center near the benches. Kadri was leveled for a roughing penalty by St. Louis forward. Perron landed on top of Kadri after cross-checking him. Kadri didn't engage with the Blues skaters as the linesmen pulled the players away.
After the game ended, Kadri scored his second goal of the game to complete the four goal rally.
The Colorado coach said that he was concerned about the one guy he was worried about, and that was Naz. It is not about scoring points. It is about winning the hockey game. That is the biggest statement. No one wants it more than Naz.
Kadri completed his hat trick at 9:38 of the third period, beating Husso and extending the Colorado lead back to two goals. Kadri later assisted on Mikko Rantanen's empty-netter for a four-point night to set up Game 5 back in Denver, a potential elimination game for the Blues.
I wanted to put a mark on this game, especially with everything that happened. Kadri said it was pure to do it on the road.
On Sunday, hockey player Akim Aliu said that he had spoken to Kadri and that the center had been subject to many racist attacks and threats.
The Hockey Diversity Alliance is an organization of current and former hockey players of color that is trying to eradicate racism from the game. Kadri is a Muslim.
Kadri described the messages he received as threatening and racial.
Kadri said that he was not involved until the police were involved. I was able to read the messages. They were very extreme. I tried to shake it off. The police made me feel safe.
Kadri said he heard no racial taunting from the crowd on Monday, and he didn't want to paint the Blues fan base with a broad brush.
It was not a reflection of every single fan in St. Louis. Kadri felt sorry for those who waste their time sending messages like that.
Johnson was impressed by his teammate's effort and resilience.
I felt good for him. Imagine being in that situation. No human should have to go through that type of treatment at a hockey game. I think he liked being the villain.
Az knew that the organization was with him. You are not going to be motivated to win a game because of that. We have enough fuel. It definitely helped motivate him. How could you make it better for him?
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