Avalanche's Nazem Kadri gets revenge with hat trick in Game 4 vs. Blues: 'For those who hate, that was for them'

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Nazem Kadri
(Getty Images)

Puck don't lie.

Nazem Kadri has had heck of a few days: He ended Jordan Binnington's series after an inadvertent collision with the goalie; Binnington threw a water bottle at him in a post-game press conference; He received death threats and racist taunts for the collision with the Blues goaltender.

Well, Kadri earned a modicum of revenge in Monday night's Game 4 with a trio of goals.

First, Kadri found the net with his first goal amid a barrage of Avalanche offense, with a glove-side snipe that gave Colorado the lead in the second.

To make matters better — or worse, depending which side you're on — Kadri seemed to take a peek and a point at Binnington, who was up in a luxury box watching the action.

MORE: Kadri receives death threats, hate speech

Later, after the Blues took a pair of penalties — and Kadri refusing to retaliate for getting run at — the Colorado forward decided to net another goal, his second on the night.

The goal wasn't entirely well received, understandably so, by St. Louis. Forward David Perron appeared to throw an elbow at Kadri following the goal, but Kadri just avoided a collision.

Kadri's second goal would boost Colorado to a commanding 4-1 lead, but a pair of power play goals late in the second would keep St. Louis in it heading into the third. 

Then, midway through the third period, Kadri netted another goal to complete the hat trick, going stick side and giving Colorado a much-needed insurance score.

"I just want to say how proud we are of Naz," Avs defenseman Erik Johnson said postgame.

To go through all that crap the last couple of days, no person should go through that. And he sure responded. I felt good for him. Imagine being in his situation? No human being should have to receive that type of treatment, especially with a hockey game. It’s just insane. That being said, I think he liked being the villain tonight.

Kadri also pointed to comments made by Blues head coach Craig Berube as a motivator.

The Avalanche took Game 4 by the score of 6-3 to take a 3-1 series lead.

Revenge is a dish best served on ice.

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Joe Rivera is a senior content producer at The Sporting News and teaches Multimedia Sports Reporting at his alma mater, Rutgers University.