Kadri focuses on Avalanche Cup chances after success in NHL All-Star Game

LAS VEGAS-- Nazem Kadri enjoyed the camaraderie with his Central Division teammates at the 2022 Honda NHL All-Star Game at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday.

"That was my favorite part, was meeting the guys from different teams and just briefly chatting," the Colorado Avalanche forward said. "I don't think we're going to be as friendly moving forward, but it was nice for the weekend."
Kadri and Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar helped the Central defeat the Atlantic Division 8-5 in one semifinal before losing to the Metropolitan Division 5-3 in the final.
Kadri scored two goals and had an assist in two games in his first All-Star Game in 13 NHL seasons after winning the Last Men In vote for the Central. His focus now turns back to trying to win the Central and make a long run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Avalanche (32-8-4) are first in the Central, eight points ahead of the Nashville Predators (28-14-4) with two games in hand. Colorado should be getting Nathan MacKinnon back soon. The forward has missed three games and the 2022 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend after sustaining a concussion and facial fracture in the first period of a 4-3 overtime win against the Boston Bruins on Jan. 26.
The return of MacKinnon, who scored 43 points (nine goals, 34 assists) in 31 games this season, is one more challenge for Colorado's opponents.
"They're a great team, obviously," Predators captain Roman Josi said. "We've had some really fun games against them, especially that last one [a 5-4 overtime win for the Predators on Jan. 11] was really intense. They're one of the best teams in the league; I think the whole Central is playing really well right now so it's a tight race."

The Avalanche were 9-0-1 going into All-Star break. They resume the regular season at home against the Tampa Bay Lighting on Thursday.
Kadri is fourth in the NHL and leads the Avalanche with 60 points (19 goals, 41 assists) in 41 games.
Kadri is one point from his NHL career-high 61 points (32 goals, 29 assists) he scored with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 82 games in 2016-17.
"We just want to continue what we're doing," Kadri said. "It's working, and we understand we can also improve. We understand it gets a little bit tighter second half, heading into the stretch in the playoffs. It was a great start and we're hoping for an even better finish."
The Avalanche are trying to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2000-01, when they defeated the New Jersey Devils in seven games.
Colorado was second in the Central in 2019-20 and won the division in 2020-21 but was eliminated in the second round each season.
This season, the Avalanche are 4-7-2 when trailing after two periods, 7-3 in overtime and 3-1-0 in shootouts.
"For us, especially just in this first half, I feel like there've been games when we're going into the third period down multiple goals or a goal and we're finding ways to come back," said Makar, who leads NHL defensemen with 18 goals and is fourth with 44 points in 40 games this season.
"Even in the past years that I've been there, I feel like sometimes we either give up a few leads and then win or we're not crawling back in the third. Definitely, the resilience on our team this year is something we'll lean on, with that depth, all the way to the end."