Lightning Round: Nazem Kadri has been suspended for eight games

The Tampa Bay Lightning were off yesterday and the biggest news in the NHL was Nazem Kadri’s suspension. The Colorado Avalanche forward has been suspended for eight games for an illegal hit to the head of defenseman Justin Faulk in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup first-round series between Colorado and St. Louis.

It’s not the first time Nazem Kadri has been suspended in the postseason, which is explaining the length of suspension. During his playing time with the Toronto Maple Leafs he was suspended twice in two series against the Boston Bruins – in 2018 and 2019.

Nazem Kadri’s suspension started with Game 3, which took place yesterday in St. Louis. Given that the Avalanche are leading the series 3-0, Nazem Kadri will most likely miss the entire second round.

Lightning Links

Matt discusses the Lightning’s performance in Game 3, noting that giving up a game in the postseason is not the end of the world [Raw Charge]

There’s little doubt Tampa Bay deserved to lose Game 3; the troubling part comes from how they lost the game. After trailing 2-0 entering the second period, Tampa Bay exploded for five goals to take a 5-3 lead. They forced Panthers coach Joel Quenneville to replace Chris Driedger with Sergei Bobrovsky to start the third period. Momentum was in the Lightning’s favor, and with their dominant record while leading entering the third period (28-0-0), it felt like Florida was doomed to a 3-0 series deficit. Instead, the Lightning faltered.

Yung Gravy, the author of Lightning’s victory song last postseason, will perform in Thunder Alley ahead of tonight’s Game 4 at 11 AM.

Yesterday’s Games

Washington Capitals 1, Boston Bruins 4 — BOS leads 3-1

The Boston Bruins are pushing the Washington Capitals to the edge of elimination after a 4-1 win on Friday’s night. The Bruins scored twice in the first 1:03 of the first period, preventing the overtime in fourth game in a row during this series.

Carolina Hurricanes 4, Nashville Predators 5 (2OT) — CAR leads 2-1

The Predators managed to secure their first postseason win this year after Matt Duchene scored in the second overtime of their game against the Canes. Juuse Saros made 52 saves on that night.

Winnipeg Jets 1, Edmonton Oilers 0 — WPG leads 2-0

Paul Stastny scored the only goal of the night, while the Oilers offence continued to struggle against the Jets. Both scoring leaders of the regular season, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, were kept off the score sheet for the second consecutive game

Colorado Avalanche 5, St. Louis Blues 1 — COL leads 3-0

Perhaps the most lopsided series of this postseason. The Avalanche defeated the Blues for the third time in a row and might secure series sweep on Sunday night. Alex Newhook scored his first NHL goal and Ryan Graves led the Avs with goal and assist.

Today’s Games

Florida Panthers @ Tampa Bay Lightning — Game 4, TBL leads 2-1

12:30 PM ET; CNBC, TVAS2, BSSUN, BSFL

Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Islanders — Game 4, PIT leads 2-1

3:00 PM ET; NBC, SN, TVAS

Montreal Canadiens @ Toronto Maple Leafs — Game 2, MTL leads 1-0

7:00 PM ET; CNBC, CBC, TVAS, SN

Vegas Golden Knights @ Minnesota Wild — Game 4, VGK leads 2-1

8:00 PM ET; NBC, SN360, TVAS2