Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri hasn't played yet in the Stanley Cup Final due to injury. Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri attends morning skate, may play Game 4

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 6/22/22

Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri participated in morning skate on Wednesday ahead of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, raising questions as to whether he will return to the lineup to face the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Nazem Kadri taking it easy but being here in power play jersey suggests he’ll play tonight. We will see #avs pic.twitter.com/u8cRR7DZNw
— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers) June 22, 2022

Head coach Jared Bednar didn't confirm whether Kadri would be in the lineup on Wednesday but did say the veteran center has been improving.

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar wouldn't say if Nazem Kadri will play tonight, but Kadri did not remain on the ice with the extras after the morning skate.

Nicolas Aube-Kubel did stay on after playing in Game 3.

Andre Burakovsky remains in Colorado and will be out again tonight.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) June 22, 2022

Kadri sustained a finger injury during Game 3 of the Western Conference Final after being hit by Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane. He has not yet participated in the Stanley Cup Final, although participating in drills and working with the second power-play unit on Wednesday morning is a good sign.

The Avalanche would surely like to get Kadri back in the mix as more players sustain injuries at this critical point in the series. Colorado is still without forward Andre Burakovsky, who was on a hot streak before being injured in Game 2 in Denver.

In non-injury news, there is no word if goaltender Darcy Kuemper will start in net after being pulled in Game 3.

Darcy Kuemper is "possibly" the Avalanche's starter for Game 4, per Bednar:

"He's followed up good performances with better performances, and he's elevated his game when we've needed him to"
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) June 22, 2022

Puck drop for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final is set for 8 p.m. ET.

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