Nazem Kadri Credits Hat-Trick to Racist Blues Fans

Nazem Kadri has been the talk of the hockey world for the past couple days. And most of the talk has been negative. Yes, the 31-year-old Colorado Avalanche forward has typically been the source of news-related commentary during the spring months of years past, but this time it is for very different reasons than his lengthy postseason history with the NHL's Department of Player Safety. Well, kind of. In the early stages of Game 3 between the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues, Kadri was hit into St. Louis starting goaltender Jordan Binnington by opponent Calle Rosen. The hit knocked Binnington from both the game and series. https://twitter.com/JamesNicholsNYI/status/1528220324247982080 Despite Kadri's history with suspensions, the play was not egregious or malicious in nature. It was just an unfortunate result of a hockey play. With both Game 3 and Game 4 being held in St. Louis, fans within the area and on the Twitter verse joined in on bashing Kadri - who is of Lebanese descent - and his apparent lack of discipline. However, some took their anger too far. According to local police, certain online posters have been under investigation for use of racial threats, promised physical retribution and even worse, death threats. https://twitter.com/JeffVeillette/status/1529113621405515779 In Game 4, the Blues offered enhanced security measures, including that of local police officers stationed outside the Avalanche tunnel and dressing room and hotel, while discouraging fans from behaving in violent or aggressive manners. However, what happened on the ice was all but telling of the Blues' plan on taking care of the 'aggressor' in the removal of their star netminder from the series. With Kadri tuning out the haters, he managed to pop a couple quick goals on fill-in netminder Ville Husso, silencing the crowd. But that is where tempers began to flare. First, it was a pummelling from David Perron and Pavel Buchnevich, which actually resulted in Perron receiving a $5K fine from the Department of Player Safety. But then, after watching Kadri score his third goal of the game, Perron flew right by the head of Kadri with his elbow raised up high in and attempt to catch the Avalanche scorer up high. He was not punished for his actions, but the clip generated a lot of traffic online. https://twitter.com/runwriteAarif/status/1528938532706058240 "Unfortunately, I've been dealing with that a long time," Kadri said following the game. "That's sad to say, but I'm getting good at putting in the rearview mirror. It's a big deal. I try to act like it's not. Just try to keep moving forward. I know those messages I got don't reflect every single fan in St. Louis. But for those that hate, that one's for them." Kadri led all skaters with three goals and four points on the night, sealing the deal on a 6-3 win late in the third period. "I wasn't that involved until the police were involved," Kadri said later. "I guess some people contacted them about some hateful messages. I was able to read those messages. They were very extreme. I just tried to shake it off. [The police] did a good job assuring me and making me feel safe." Colorado now leads the best-of-seven series three games to one and will look to close things out back home at Ball Arena on Wednesday evening. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM central time.