The Colorado Avalanche rallied from a 2-1 third period deficit to stand just one win away from their third Stanley Cup in franchise history. Center Nazem Kadri scored the game-winning goal at 12:02 of overtime, lifting the Avalanche to a 3-2 victory in Game 4.
The finish wasn't without some controversy as the puck appeared to get stuck in the top of the net after it crossed the goal line. Kadri received the puck from teammate Artturi Lehkonen, weaved his way through the Tampa defense and beat goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy up high.
It was Kadri's first game since he suffered an injury in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers. Kadri was checked by Oilers forward Evander Kane and had to undergo thumb surgery.
Kadri became the ninth player in NHL history to score an overtime goal in his Stanley Cup Final debut. The 31-year old also became the first to achieve the feat in a game that wasn't Game 1.
Wednesday's game also marked just the second time that the Lightning lost at home during the 2022 postseason.
Prior to the extra frame, Vasilevskiy made an initial save, but a Nico Sturm shot went off of Andrew Cogliano and into the net. The goal was originally credited to Sturm, but it was eventually changed to Cogliano.
The Lightning opened the scoring for the first time in the Stanley Cup Final. Lightning center Anthony Cirelli scored just 36 seconds into Game 4 after he deposited a rebound past Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper off a shot from teammate Erik Cernak.
At the 5:17 mark of the second period, winger Mikko Rantanen put the puck on net after receiving it from Nathan McKinnon. Vasilevskiy made the initial save on the Rantanen shot, but the rebound went off of the skate of MacKinnon and crossed the goal line. It was MacKinnon's first goal of the Stanley Cup Final.
Just over five minutes later, Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman gave his team a 2-1 lead. Hedman elevated a backhander just over the pad of goalie Darcy Kuemper. It was the first time that Hedman scored on a backhand shot all season.
The Avalanche will now have a chance to close out the series at home in Game 5, which will be played on Friday. Colorado will be looking to win their first Stanley Cup since 2001.
