The second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs have not been the friend of the Colorado Avalanche.
The last three seasons have seen the Avs make the postseason, and even win their opening series.
And then the bottom fell out.
In 2019, it was the San Jose Sharks in seven games.
In 2020, the Avalanche were beaten by the Dallas Stars, also in seven games.
And just last year, the Avs were beaten by Vegas Golden Knights in six games.
This year, after dispatching the Nashville Predators in a sweep, the Avalanche began their current series with the St Louis Blues.
And from the beginning, you could tell it would be a grind.
Sure they won Game 1, but it was a 4-3 overtime nail-biter that took everything in the Avs arsenal to get the win.
But if Game 1 provided some butterflies in your stomach, Game 2 was a full blown dry heave as the Blues dominated the Avs 4-1.
Game 3 on Saturday began in a similar fashion with the Blues grabbing an early goal.
And then Nazem Kadri happened.
Kadri is one of those player that you hate if he is on the other team. He pushes the limits, he will do anything he can to try to win.
Late in the first period of Game 3 Kadri and Blues defenseman Calle Rosen collided into goalie Jordan Binnington after getting their skates tangled up in the crease. No penalty was called on the play, but Binnington was ruled out for the rest of the series with a lower body injury.
The Avs went on to a 5-2 victory.
Last night in Game 4 Kadri struck again. And then again. And then again.
With the city of St. Louis booing him every time he touched the puck, and St. Louis law enforcement investigating threats made against him, Kadri dropped a hat trick on the Blues.
Kadri scored three goals and had an assist, as the Avs rolled to a 6-3 win, and put themselves one win away from getting past that dreaded second round.
Unfortunately, it isn’t all good news in the Mile High city.
The Colorado Rockies have found their true form.
After getting out to their usual hot start at 8-3, the Rox have now gone 11-19 in their last 30 games.
The starting pitching is a major problem, and the bullpen will undoubtedly be wearing down soon too.
It isn’t just the bad news coming out of Coors Field.
Denver Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly has agreed to a five-year deal worth over $40 million bucks with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Connelly is widely regarded as one of the top talent evaluators in the league, and has done a phenomonal job of assembling talent on the Nuggets roster.
Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr, Aaron Gordon, Monte Morris, and Bones Hyland have all been brought to Denver by Connelly.
Back in 2013, the Nuggets brought Connelly to Denver to replace former NBA Executive of the Year, Masai Ujirim who left for Toronto.
As good as the Nuggets are, this is unfortunately just another reminder that this franchise is a stepping stone, not a destination.
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