Victor Hedman’s powerful dream goal was not enough – Gabriel Landeskog is now just a win from the Stanley Cup title

Victor Hedman’s goal was not enough.
By extension, the superstar Nazem Kadri stepped forward.
And now team captain Gabriel Landeskog can become Stanley Cup champion this weekend.

It has been an even final series between the Colorado Avalanche and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Apart from a real overrun in game two, when Colorado won by an insane 7-0, it has been even in every game – and the night’s fourth game between the teams was no exception.

Hedman with dream goal

Tampa Bay played its second home game and played to level the series, and for a long time it looked like it would be just that. The score was 1-1 in the second period when the Swedish back star Victor Hedman took the puck in his own zone – and left like a steam locomotive.

He danced past three or four players, before firing a lightning-fast backhand shot that surprised the Colorado goalkeeper, and Tampa was in the lead, 2-1. But the third period only had time to continue for just over three minutes before the equalizer came – and the match lasted 2-2.

The Swede can lift the dent

The match was decided in extra time, just like in the first match of the series, and once again it was Colorado who pulled the longest straw. In a strange situation, Nazem Kadri – the big star who missed the first three finals – stepped forward, when he lifted the puck up in the net. No one first noticed that the puck was inside, when it got stuck in the net mesh, but Colorado had to rejoice.

This weekend you can secure your first title since 2001 – and for Gabriel Landeskog it would be extra special. He has been team captain since he was 19 years old, and can now lift the coveted Stanley Cup dent.