The second-line center brings a playoff-ready dimension to the high-octane Avalanche and the team sure needed it in Game 1 when Coyotes Darcy Kuemper threatened to steal the show.

For most of the opening game between Colorado and Arizona, the narrative was pretty obvious: Coyotes netminder Darcy Kuemper was stealing the show and it wasn’t even close. But the high-octane Avalanche did not succumb to the goaltender’s prowess and a gritty power play goal by center Nazem Kadri opened up a mini-floodgate that led to three scores in a minute and a half, helping Colorado to a 3-0 win.

Getting contributions from forwards not named (or playing with) Nathan MacKinnon will be crucial to Colorado’s Stanley Cup hopes and in Kadri, the Avs have a second-line pivot who brings some valuable playoff skills to the table.

“He plays at a high compete level all the time,” said right winger Mikko Rantanen.