“Not yet” – Avalanche’s Nazem Kadri and Andrew Cogliano could play in the Stanley Cup Finale

“Not yet” – Avalanche’s Nazem Kadri and Andrew Cogliano could play in the Stanley Cup Finale

Nazem Kadri and Andrew Cogliano

Both Colorado Avalanche’s star players, Nazem Kadri and Andrew Cogliano have been recovering from hand injuries, but are expected to join the Stanley Cup Finals. They are expected to return to the lineup for the Finals on Wednesday night in the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Both forwards are expected to skate after recuperating from their hand surgery sustained during the Western Conference Finals against Edmonton Oilers.

The forwards skated once again on ice on Sunday morning in a light warm-up practice to get in shape for Wednesday night. Coach Bernard replied “not yet” when asked whether Kadri and Cogliano have been ruled out for the start of the best-of-7 series. Kadri left Game 3 after sustaining a cross-check from Evander Kane while Cogliano was hurt after blocking a shot with his right hand in Game 4. 

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Nazem Kadri and Andrew Cogliano may play on Wednesday

Nazem Kadri and Andrew Cogliano
Nazem Kadri and Andrew Cogliano

Colorado Avalanche coach Bernard further noted that on the Nazem Kadri and Andrew Cogliano situation, “They both skated [Sunday] morning. Without sticks.”, as per nhl.com. On Thursday Bernard further added, “Similar surgeries, different fingers, thumbs”. “We’re hoping, depending on the timeline, they’ll be able to make their way back into the finals.” “We’ll see how it goes when they get playing and whatnot. We’re hopeful that that could be an option for us.”

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The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the New York Rangers 2-1 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finale that took place on Saturday, finally securing their 3rd straight path to the Stanley Cup Finale. Bernard commented, “They’re back where they are for a reason”. “This is a very difficult team to win against, and we have to be ready for the challenge.”

Bernard further added, “I feel good about getting a couple of days away from the rink to get sort of decompressed and then start gearing things up a little bit”. “It doesn’t feel like it’s too much time. I like the focus of our group. I like the work of our group, and that’s the rest that we have.” Till now, Kadri has scored 6 goals and 8 assists and Cogliano has played a primary role on the penalty-kill unit in the playoffs.

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