The Colorado Avalanche are gearing up for the Stanley Cup Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, looking to end the Bolts' reign as back-to-back champions. When the series gets underway on Wednesday, it'll have been almost 10 days since the last time the Avs played a game, giving their injured players ample time to rest up. Jared Bednar offered an injury update on Nazem Kadri, which included a glimmer of hope for fans that the star forward could make a shock return to the ice during the series against the Lightning.
Nazem Kadri and Andrew Cogliano skated again this morning, both without sticks. Asked if either has been ruled out for Game 1, Jared Bednar said, “not yet.”
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) June 12, 2022
Via Peter Baugh, Bednar refused to rule out Kadri, or Andrew Cogliano, for Game 1 against the Lightning, indicating there's at least some level of optimism within the organization that they'll be able to return at some point in the series. While Game 1 certainly feels like a long shot for Kadri, who just underwent thumb surgery, it's not out of the possibility.
Kadri went down in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the Edmonton Oilers after a dirty boarding hit from Evander Kane during the opening minutes of the first period. Kane was suspended for Game 4, which the Avalanche won to complete the sweep of Edmonton, while Kadri was forced to undergo surgery on his thumb. He skated with the team on Sunday, another sign that he could make a triumphant return to action and help his team in its pursuit of a Stanley Cup victory.
Kadri had been enjoying a super postseason for the Avs, highlighted by his hat-trick against the St. Louis Blues in the second round. In all, Kadri registered 14 points in 13 games during the Avs' playoff run, including 6 goals and 7 assists.
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