Grasping onto a 2-1 series lead that appears more perilous by the hour, the Colorado Avalanche could be receiving a welcomed boost to their Stanley Cup ambitions.
Nazem Kadri is on the verge of returning from a thumb injury that he incurred after getting boarded by Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane during Game 3 of the Western Conference final.
Kadri skated with the Avalanche on Wednesday, two weeks after undergoing surgery, while being slotted into the bumper spot on the team’s second power-play unit. Considering that teammate Andre Burakovsky is out of the lineup after blocking a Victor Hedman shot in Game 2 and Lightning star Brayden Point is missing Game 4 due to an undisclosed ailment, Kadri’s imminent return could swing the balance back in the Avalanche’s favor.