The Avalanche delivered a pointed message to Nashville at the start of their first-round NHL playoff series.
Don’t mess with Nazem Kadri.
The Predators pushed their luck in Game 1, when, after the second-period buzzer, Nashville forward Luke Kunin singled out Kadri during a multi-player skirmish inside Ball Arena. Kunin, without instigation, two-hand shoved Kadri to the ice. Kadri got back up just as Kunin removed his gloves to bait a fight.
Thatap when Avs defenseman Josh Manson stepped in to resolve the situation. Manson, acquired in March from the Ducks, wrapped both arms around Kunin’s shoulders and body-slammed him to the ice in one swift motion.
Love this from Josh Manson. Exactly what he’s here to do.
— Casey Cheatum (@CaseyCheatum)
“I saw Naz get buried for no reason, nowhere near the puck, and obviously he got a little upset,” Manson told reporters Thursday before Game 2. “The next thing you know, (Kunin’s) gloves are off. I’m not going to let him step in against Naz. So, I went in there and just tried to get in the way. I maybe took it a step too far.
“But it felt like I had a good hold on him. I wanted to let him know that we’re not going to fall into that trap.”
It’s no surprise that Nashville, the most penalized team in the NHL (), might single out Kadri. The Colorado forward has missed 16 career playoff games due to suspension — including an eight-game ban last year for an illegal hit on Blues defenseman Justin Faulk.
Manson’s retaliation in Game 1 proved the Avalanche won’t stand idle when opponents test Kadri’s patience. Kadri has not met with local media since the playoffs started. However, in a first-person essay published Wednesday in , Kadri explained his approach this postseason.
“That part of my game that walks the line, it’ll always be there,” Kadri said. “Itap how I got here. Itap how I proved to (former Maple Leafs general manager) Brian Burke that I could play in this league. But I know I have to adapt too, I have to mature. Itap something I work on all the time. I think I’ve shown that this year.”
Kadri posted career-best numbers in the regular season for points (87), assists (59) and average ice-time (19:14). Coach Jared Bednar lauded Kadri’s maturity in becoming a more consistent overall player.
“He’s worked extremely hard at controlling his emotions and biting his tongue at times,” Bednar said. “In the past, maybe Naz let his emotion … get the better of him. It took some bad penalties here and there. I feel like not communicating with the refs as much as he used to (helps), really trying to be a disciplined player is a big one, and also the consistency in his game. It has to have a physical presence to it. Itap been highly effective.”
Kadri’s teammates must also be careful not to overreact to Nashville’s aggression toward Kadri. Manson earned a two-minute roughing penalty in Game 1 that gave the Predators a power-play chance to open the third period.
“I’m still going to come in no matter what,” Manson said. “I don’t want to see a guy drop his gloves against Naz and then Naz (needs) to fight or anything like that in the playoffs. But maybe I don’t take him to the ground. Maybe I just keep it on the feet.”
