Stanley Cup Final: Avalanche’s Kuemper, Kadri, Cogliano expected to play

Forwards Nazem Kadri and Andrew Cogliano are expected to play in the Stanley Cup Final for the Colorado Avalanche. During the Western Conference Final, both players suffered hand injuries that required surgery. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who was injured in Game 1 on May 31 against the Edmonton Oilers, will also return to action. Check out the Best Bookmakers for betting on the NHL!

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After winning Monday’s game against the Oilers, the Avalanche have to wait almost two weeks for their postseason run to resume. The Stanley Cup Final is scheduled either for June 15 or 18, following the conclusion of the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers games, which is currently 3-2 for the Lightning.

Kadri’s, Cogliano’s injuries

The Avalanche probably won’t have much to say outside of the usual rest versus rust debate. Both Kadri and Cogliano are expected to be able to participate in the Final after undergoing surgery.

Kadri was back in the gym Thursday, according to Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, who spoke with reporters including Denver Post’s Mike Chambers.

“Similar surgeries, different fingers, thumbs,” said Bednar on Thursday. “So both guys are back. Kadri was in the gym this morning, doing everything he can to get back to being able to play.”

The Oilers’ Evander Kane was suspended for his part in the play that resulted in Kadri’s thumb injury. Kadri had an excellent playoff performance with 14 points in 13 games. He left Game 3 at 1:06 of the first period.

Additionally, Bednar said Cogliano had surgery similar to Kadri’s, as he blocked a shot during the penalty kill in Game 4 against Edmonton. He left the game in the third period. This post-season has seen him net two goals and provide one assist, averaging about nine minutes per game. Cogliano still needs “a day or two” until he can return to usual work.

“We’re hoping, depending on the timeline, they’ll be able to make their way back into the finals,” Bednar said. “We’ll see how it goes when they get playing and whatnot. We’re hopeful that that could be an option for us.”

Tough decision between goaltenders

The Colorado Avalanche face a tough call for the Stanley Cup Final with goaltender Darcy Kuemper back at full health. However, Bednar indicated he has a “tough decision” to make between Kuemper and Pavel Francouz for Game 1 of the final. Check out the top new sportsbook for betting on the NHL!

“It’s a tough decision,” coach Jared Bednar said Thursday. “There’ll be conversations about it. We’ll make a decision and go from there.”

Having Darcy Kuemper back for the Stanley Cup Final, the Avalanche face a tough decision. Bednar must decide between Kuemper and Pavel Francouz as to who will be the starting goalie for Game 1.

“It’s a tough decision,” he said. “There’ll be conversations about it. We’ll make a decision and go from there.”

After missing the final three games of the Western Conference Finals, Kuemper, 32, told reporters Thursday that his health is back to 100 percent. Following Kuemper’s upper-body injury in Game 1, the Avalanche turned to Francouz. With Francouz shutting out the Oilers in Game 2, the Avalanche swept the Oilers by scoring seven goals in the next two games.

“[I’m] seeing [the puck] really good,” Kuemper said. “It’s all taken care of 100 percent.”

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