AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostFrom left to right Jeremy Lindstrom, Liza Blom and Noah Blom cheer on the Avs against the St. Louis Blues during the first period on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche fans support Nazem Kadri (91) against the St. Louis Blues during the first period on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche fans show their support Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) during warmups before playing the St. Louis Blues for game five of the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at Ball Arena Center May 25, 2022. Kadri received death threats after game three in St. Louis after a collision with St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) who ended up leaving the game.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) shoots against St. Louis Blues defenseman Nick Leddy (4) and scores a goal in the first period during game five of the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at Ball Arena Center May 25, 2022.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates his goal against the St. Louis Blues with teammates Cale Maker (8) and Gabriel Landeskog (92) in the first period during game five of the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at Ball Arena Center May 25, 2022.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) shoots towards St. Louis Blues goaltender Ville Husso (35) under pressure from St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko (55) in the first period during game five of the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at Ball Arena Center May 25, 2022.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) skates after the puck against St. Louis Blues left wing Brandon Saad (20) in the second period during game five of the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at Ball Arena Center May 25, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostColton Parayko (55) of the St. Louis Blues checks Andrew Cogliano (11) of the Colorado Avalanche during the first period on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNathan Walker (26) of the St. Louis Blues and Andrew Cogliano (11) of the Colorado Avalanche jaw as Logan O’Connor (25) and linesman Steve Barton (59) break them up during the first period on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNathan MacKinnon (29) of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates the second of his two first period goals with teammates Mikko Rantanen (96), Nazem Kadri (91) and Gabriel Landeskog (92) against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar works the bench during the second period against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDarcy Kuemper (35) of the Colorado Avalanche tends the net against the St. Louis Blues during the second period on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostLogan O'Connor (25) of the Colorado Avalanche roughs Brayden Schenn (10) of the St. Louis Blues during the second period on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostLogan O'Connor (25) of the Colorado Avalanche roughs Brayden Schenn (10) of the St. Louis Blues during the second period on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) celebrates his goal against the St. Louis Blues in the period with teammates Nathan MacKinnon, (29) and Devon Toews (7) during game five of the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at Ball Arena Center May 25, 2022.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) scores his second goal against St. Louis Blues goaltender Ville Husso (35) in the first period during game five of the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at Ball Arena Center May 25, 2022.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) gets hit by St. Louis Blues defenseman Niko Mikkola (77) in the second period during game five of the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at Ball Arena Center May 25, 2022. Mikkola was penalized on the play.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNiko Mikkola (77) of the St. Louis Blues defends Nazem Kadri (91) of the Colorado Avalanche during the third period on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNathan MacKinnon (29) of the Colorado Avalanche snaps as he takes over a break for a 4-3 hat trick goal as Jordan Kyrou (25) of the St. Louis Blues defends during the third period on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNathan MacKinnon (29) of the Colorado Avalanche snaps as he takes over a break for a 4-3 hat trick goal on Ville Husso (35) of the St. Louis Blues as Jordan Kyrou (25) defends during the third period on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29), left, celebrates his hat trick goal against the St. Louis Blues in the third period with teammate Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (420, center, and Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) during game five of the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at Ball Arena Center May 25, 2022.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostThe Colorado Avalanche ice crew pick up hats in front of Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) who scored a hat trick against the St. Louis Blues in the third period during game five of the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at Ball Arena Center May 25, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNathan MacKinnon (29) of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates after scoring a 4-3 hat trick goal against the St. Louis Blues during the third period on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostGabriel Landeskog (92) of the Colorado Avalanche leaps into the arms of Nathan MacKinnon (29) after MacKinnon scored a 4-3 hat trick goal against the St. Louis Blues during the third period on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJustin Faulk (72) of the St. Louis Blues scores on Darcy Kuemper (35) of the Colorado Avalanche during the third period on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJustin Faulk (72) of the St. Louis Blues scores on Darcy Kuemper (35) of the Colorado Avalanche during the third period on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDarcy Kuemper (35) of the Colorado Avalanche reacts to giving up a goal to Justin Faulk (72) of the St. Louis Blues during the third period on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostArtturi Lehkonen (62) of the Colorado Avalanche works Robert Bortuzzo (41) of the St. Louis Blues during overtime of St. Louis’ 5-4 win on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. The Blues cut into Colorado’s lead to pull the best-of-seven series within one game at 3-2.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDarcy Kuemper (35) of the Colorado Avalanche gives up a goal to Robert Thomas (18) of the St. Louis Blues during the third period on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDarcy Kuemper (35) of the Colorado Avalanche gives up a goal to Robert Thomas (18) of the St. Louis Blues during the third period on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNathan MacKinnon (29) of the Colorado Avalanche handles the puck as Brayden Schenn (10) of the St. Louis Blues defends during overtime of St. Louis’ 5-4 win on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. The Blues cut into Colorado’s lead to pull the best-of-seven series within one game at 3-2.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDarcy Kuemper (35) of the Colorado Avalanche gives up a game-winning goal to Tyler Bozak (21) of the St. Louis Blues during overtime of St. Louis’ 5-4 win on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. The Blues cut into Colorado’s lead to pull the best-of-seven series within one game at 3-2.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostTyler Bozak (21) of the St. Louis Blues celebrates his game-winning goal against the Colorado Avalanche during overtime of St. Louis’ 5-4 win on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. The Blues cut into Colorado’s lead to pull the best-of-seven series within one game at 3-2.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
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From left to right Jeremy Lindstrom, Liza Blom and Noah Blom cheer on the Avs against the St. Louis Blues during the first period on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
ExpandBy AAron Ontiveroz | aontiveroz@denverpost.com | The Denver Post and Andy Cross | across@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
The Colorado Avalanche lost 5-4 to the St. Louis Blues in Game 5 of the second round of the NHL playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.



































