The Avalanche delivered a pointed message to Nashville at the start of their first-round NHL playoff series.
Don’t mess with Nazem Kadri.
The Predators pushed their luck in Game 1, when, after the second-period buzzer, Nashville forward Luke Kunin singled out Kadri during a multi-player skirmish inside Ball Arena. Kunin, without instigation, two-hand shoved Kadri to the ice. Kadri got back up just as Kunin removed his gloves to bait a fight.
That’s when Avs defenseman Josh Manson stepped in to resolve the situation. Manson, acquired in March from the Ducks, wrapped both arms around Kunin’s shoulders and body-slammed him to the ice in one swift motion.