Home / News / Nazem Kadri got in a fight, got injured, made a surprise return, scored a big goal, then injured a player, and now will definitely get suspended

Nazem Kadri got in a fight, got injured, made a surprise return, scored a big goal, then injured a player, and now will definitely get suspended

By Peter Hassett

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April 14, 2019 11:36 am

Toronto forward Nazem Kadri had a busy Saturday night. He got in a fight, scored a goal, suffered what appeared to be a devastating injury, made a sudden recovery, and committed a high-sticking penalty that will certainly earn him a suspension.

It will be Kadri’s second playoff suspension in as many years.

Chapter 1: Kadri Basically Dies

Late in the second period, with the Leafs trailing 3-0, Kadri got penalized for hooking. Toronto killed the penalty, but Boston remained in the offensive zone. Kadri left the penalty box, zoomed into the play, stole the puck from David Krecji. . .and skated right into Jake DeBrusk, whom Kadri had fought in the first period.

Kadri went airborne before collapsing to the ice.

He laid there for a few moments, grimacing.

Eventually he was able to skate off the ice under his own power. He appeared to put weight on the impacted leg. There was no penalty on the play.

Related: Kadri nearly injures Ovechkin with low hit in 2017 playoffs

Chapter 2: The Miraculous Return

To the surprise of some, Kadri returned for the third period. There he sparked a comeback effort with a deflection goal. With under ten minutes remaining William Nylander reversed the puck to defender Travis Dermott near the blue line. Demott’s one-timer hit two players – the second being Kadri, who redirected it to the far side of the net.

That goal, Kadri’s third in 19 playoff games, ended Tuukka Rask’s shutout and began a short rally for Toronto, which abruptly ended about three minutes later.

Chapter 3: The Inevitable Heel Turn

When Jake DeBrusk stopped Patrick Marleau’s rush attack with a strong shoulder hit into the boards, Kadri retaliated with a cross-check to DeBrusk’s face.

Kadri took his stick in both hands and planted the bar into DeBrusk’s face. Another look:

Kadri was given a cross-checking penalty and ejected with a game misconduct. Patrice Bergeron scored on the resulting power play, and the Bruins won the game, tying the series 1-1. DeBrusk spoke to the media postgame, but his health status is not yet known.

The NHL has offered Kadri an in-person hearing with the department of player safety, which may indicate a lengthy suspension. Kadri is a repeat offender; he was suspended three games from last year’s playoffs for a headshot on Boston’s Tomy Wingels.

The Bruins and Leafs play next on Monday night.

Update, 2 PM: Kadri’s hearing will be on Monday.

Headline photo: Adam Glanzman

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