Lehtinen said Game 7 was a great example of how Kiviranta can affect the game. On his first goal, Kiviranta battled with Colorado defenseman Kevin Connauton and Connauton broke his stick. That allowed Kiviranta the ability to set up in front of the net and deftly redirect a shot past Michael Hutchinson.
"For a small guy, he fights really hard against bigger defensemen, and he wins those battles," Lehtinen said of the winger listed at 5-foot-10, 176 pounds. "That first goal he scored was a great example. He won his battle there and deflected puck. He's not the biggest guy, but I think there are a lot of D-men who are surprised how strong he is."
The second goal was a display of Kiviranta's speed, as he made a nice pass to Roope Hintz in transition and then pounced on the rebound of a Hintz shot and rifled in the rebound from a hard angle.
"I think we both play with speed, so that works out," Kiviranta said about playing with Hintz. "And it's good to play with someone who speaks your language."
The third goal was a little of everything. Kiviranta went to the front of the net to battle once again, but then read the play, backed off into the slot and created time and space for himself. Andrej Sekera sent a pass out from behind the net, and the unlikely duo created one of the biggest goals in franchise history.
"That was such a great play," Lehtinen said. "You have to hang in there and be ready if the puck comes, but when he saw a chance to move back, he did. He's a smart kid. That's a reaction, but it's a smart play to get that space. It was a perfect play for that situation, a perfect example of how to think in front of the net."
Kiviranta said it was just something he did at the end of a long shift.
"I was actually pretty gassed before the goal, so when (Sekera) got the puck and nobody moved, I just saw the little spot and they lost me," he said.