Avalanche second-line center Nazem Kadri missed his third consecutive playoff game in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday. But because of depth forward J.T. Compher and his increased role, Kadri’s recovery from a broken thumb hasn’t substantially hurt the club.
Moving from third-line to second-line center, Compher entered Game 2 tied for sixth on the Avalanche in playoff goals (five), tied for ninth in points (eight) and seventh among forwards in ice time (13:50).
Compher’s shot early in Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime victory was blocked by Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman, but deflected to winger Valeri Nichushkin, who fed winger Andre Burakovsky for the game-winning goal.
“He’s been good,” Bednar said of Compher pregame. “Somewhere along the line in the St. Louis series, he really started to elevate his game. Production-wise, he’s more tenacious on pucks (and) getting to the net front.
“And then with the loss of Kadri, he gets elevated in the Edmonton series, does a really nice job for us and continues to be a responsible guy defending.”
Compher didn’t have a point in the first three games of the Nashville series and didn’t have a goal until Game 6 of the St. Louis series (two).
Kadri is expected to travel with the Avs to Tampa on Sunday and possibly play in Games 3 and 4 on Monday and Wednesday, respectively.
Cogliano. Avalanche forward Andrew Cogliano was a full participant in Saturday’s morning skate and the 35-year-old returned to the lineup. He broke a bone in his right hand in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals against Edmonton. Cogliano underwent surgery and missed Game 1 against the Lightning on Wednesday.
Cogliano, who has a team-high 111 games of NHL playoff experience, was among four acquisitions ahead of the NHL trade deadline in March. He’s become a valuable fourth-line winger and penalty killer because of his speed and forechecking abilities.
On Point. Lightning center Brayden Point earned positive reviews from Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper after playing in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, his first game since suffering a lower-body injury on May 14.
“He hasn’t played a game in well over a month, so to jump in and do what he did, it was a hell of an effort,” Cooper said prior to Game 2.
So much of Pointap game, Cooper said, is predicated on his burst. With one game under his belt, Cooper said he expected his star to be more comfortable and confident in his approach. Point logged an assist in Tampa Bay’s Game 1 loss.
Top prospects. Shane Wright was among four NHL top prospects to attend Saturday’s morning skate and visit with Avalanche players. Wright, 18, is expected to be selected No. 1 overall in next month’s draft in Montreal. He had 94 points (32 goals) in 63 games a rookie for Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League.
“Just being here, being in the Stanley Cup Finals, that’s what you work for your entire life,” Wright said. “You work to be in the Stanley Cup Finals and have the opportunity to be in the Stanley Cup Finals and have the opportunity to win a Stanley Cup. It was definitely inspiring to see those guys here, see how hard they worked and see what it takes to make it at this level here.”
Footnotes. The Lightning are 18-1 in games following a loss in the playoffs since 2020. They are 4-0 all-time in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. … Bednar could become the first coach to lead his teams to the ECHL Kelley Cup, the AHL’s Calder Cup and the Stanley Cup. He was coach of the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays in 2009 and the Lake Erie Monsters in 2016 when those clubs won league titles. “That’s pretty cool that he has that opportunity. I think it just speaks to his knowledge and success as a coach and being able to get the most out of his players,” said Avs veteran defenseman Jack Johnson, 35, who is in his 15th NHL season.
