Last minute changes to Avalanche lineup prior to Game 4

Forward Nazem Kadri is back in the Colorado Avalanche’s lineup for tonight’s Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. He was on the ice for warmups and then made his Stanley Cup Final debut.

Two weeks ago on Monday, Kadri underwent surgery on his right thumb, the result of a dangerous crash into the boards at high speed following a hit that earned Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane a one-game suspension during the Western Conference final.

On Wednesday morning, Kadri skated with the rest of his teammates, practiced on the second power-play unit and stick-handled the entire session. That was a good sign, but head coach Jared Bednar didn’t confirm if Kadri would play later that night.

The update is confirmed and this is the changes to the Avalanche, looking to bounce back after its 6-2 loss to the Lightning in Game 3. Nicolas Aube-Kubel steps out for Kadri:

The Avalanche remains on top in the series ahead Game 4 on Wednesday night. The Avalanche could come back to Colorado with the chance to potentially hoist the Stanley Cup on home ice in Game 5 on Friday.