NHL Stanley Cup Final 2022: Top Comments Following Avalanche vs. Lightning Game 4

The Colorado Avalanche are one win away from their first Stanley Cup since 2001. And on Friday night, they'll get an opportunity to celebrate in front of their fans on their home ice.

That's the situation after the Avalanche took a 3-1 lead in this year's Stanley Cup Final by outlasting the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 3-2 overtime win in Game 4 in Tampa on Wednesday night. The Avs notched their second OT victory of the series, while the Lightning's eight-game home winning streak was snapped.

It was only fitting that Nazem Kadri scored the game-winning goal for Colorado in his return from a thumb injury that required surgery. The 31-year-old center, who was playing in the first Stanley Cup Final game of his 13-year NHL career, hadn't been in action since Game 3 of the Western Conference Final.

"It was a rollercoaster of emotions," Kadri said, per ESPN's Kristen Shilton. "Just thinking I was done and having a sliver of hope, and then sitting here right now is kind of surreal. I just was excited to join the team again and be in the dressing room. This is what I've been waiting for my entire life, so it certainly was exciting to get back into the lineup."

The Lightning had a 2-1 lead after two periods before Andrew Cogliano scored for the Avalanche only two minutes and 53 seconds into the third to tie the game. Nobody scored again until Kadri's game-winner 12:02 into overtime.

"I think for what he's dealing with, it's pretty remarkable, to be honest," Cogliano said of Kadri, per NHL.com's Nick Cotsonika. "He's in a tough spot. He was in a tough spot a couple days ago. But I think everyone at this point, you get adrenaline, you get that fire in you, and you find a way."

There was a bit of controversy surrounding Kadri's goal to end it, though.

After the game, NHL Hockey Operations (h/t The Athletic) issued a statement that the four on-ice officials "advised that they did not see a too-many-men-on-the-ice situation on the play" on which Kadri scored. However, it seemed like Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper had a different opinion.

"We’re all in this together. Players, coaches, refs, everybody," Cooper said, per Fred Goodall of the Associated Press. "But this one is going to sting much more than others."

It also has the Lightning in a difficult position. If they're going to win a third straight Stanley Cup, they'll need to win three straight games to end the series. That includes Game 5 and a potential Game 7 in Denver.

Tampa Bay overcame an 0-2 deficit to win the Eastern Conference Final by recording four straight victories against the New York Rangers. Can this experienced team now pull off an even more improbable comeback?

"For us, our backs are against the wall," Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said, per NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "We've done it before in these playoffs. We're going to have to do it again."

Game 6 would be back in Tampa. And Game 7 would come with the series tied. So there's still a chance for the Lightning if they can get some momentum going.

But they're first going to need to find a way to win in a hostile environment in Game 5. The Avalanche are also 7-2 at home during the playoffs, having won their past four games at Ball Arena.