Overshadowed McDavid: how Nichushkin scored a double and helped Colorado take the third step to the Stanley Cup final

Forward “Colorado” Valery Nichushkin this season has finally reached a completely new level for himself in the NHL.

American journalists are now openly talking about this, admiring his game.

And Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog recently compared the striker to a train and emphasized that the hockey player is very useful on the ice even in those matches when he does not score.  

Statistically, indeed, the Russian cannot boast of records yet.

However, the real triumph for him was the third game of the final series of the Western Conference with Edmonton.

Nichushkin scored a double, helped his team win with a score of 4: 2 and was deservedly recognized as the first star of the meeting.

Moreover, during the match, the Avalanche were inferior to the opponent - Connor McDavid scored a quick goal.

But the effective actions of the Russian helped tip the scales in favor of the club from Denver.

Valery's first goal was the result of a series of rebounds.

The forward performed a simple cross from an acute angle, and nothing foreshadowed trouble for Edmonton.

However, Darnell Nurse for some reason decided to make life easier for the goalkeeper and framed the stick: as a result, the puck ended up in Max Smith's goal. 

But the second goal is already the direct merit of the Russian.

In the 25th minute of the match, Nichushkin picked up a rebound from a shot by Nathan McKinnon and put the Avalanche ahead with one touch.

At the same time, after the meeting, talking about the goals scored, the striker noted that this was the coaching setting. 

“In the first case, I tried to make a pass, and in the second, I just went to the net, and the puck successfully bounced towards me.

Before the game, we said that the Edmonton goalkeeper does not move very well, so I tried to hit as quickly as possible, ”the striker explained at a press conference. 

The goal of the Russian did not become victorious, but the attempts of the Oilers in the person of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to turn the tide of the meeting did not lead to anything.

A good chance for this was in the middle of the third period.

With an equal score, the Edmonton hockey players earned the majority, but they could not realize it.

And immediately after the removal of J.T. Komfer ran into a counterattack and scored the winning goal. 

By the way, in this meeting, Nichushkin could have swung at a hat-trick.

In one of the episodes after the fight with Duncan Keith, he was a meter away from Smith's goal, but this time the goalkeeper acted superbly: he made an excellent rescue in a fall on his side. 

However, even two goals were enough for the Russian to set a record, albeit a small one, but a symbolic one.

He has already scored more goals in the current Stanley Cup season than in the last five NHL playoffs.

Previously, in 42 matches, he was able to score only four times, and now he has already earned 9 points (5 + 4) in 13 meetings.

True, while Nichushkin lacks stability.

Before the extravaganza with Colorado, the striker could not distinguish himself for seven meetings in a row.

He last scored on May 18 against St. Louis.

However, on the other hand, this can also be explained.

The forward is on the first line with real NHL stars Nathan McKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog.

At the same time, Nichushkin notes that he likes to perform in such a company.

"This is amazing.

But you have to prove in every match.

Can't sleep.

I really like it, ”the striker admits. 

This decision by head coach Jared Bednar also clearly benefits the team.

Colorado can secure a place in the Stanley Cup final on Tuesday, as the score in the best-of-four series after Nichushkin's bright match became 3-0 in favor of the Avalanche.

At the same time, Bednar has no doubts about the success of his team.

“Our team feels confident both away and at home – it doesn’t matter.

No matter what arena and environment we play in, we need the same ingredients for success.

Of course, we need to act a little better away, because the hosts are additionally fueled by the support of their fans, which we observed today in the first period, ”the specialist admitted. 

True, the Canadian will still have to think about the composition for the upcoming meeting.

A serious injury in the game after a collision with Evander Kane was striker Nazem Kadri.

According to Bednar, he can miss not only the series, but the entire end of the season.