NEWARK, N.J. — Defenseman John-Michael Liles joined the Avalanche on Wednesday and is expected to play Thursday against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center.

Liles is on injured reserve with a left wrist ailment, but he would be activated in time for the game.

Liles injured the wrist in the third period Feb. 15 in Detroit and has missed four games, including the first three games of the Avalanche’s six-game trip.

Liles is the team’s top scoring defenseman with seven goals and 21 assists in 55 games.

Also, Andrew Raycroft is scheduled to start in goal.

But, as if the Avalanche doesn’t have enough problems, Devils star goalie Martin Brodeur has pronounced himself ready to play Thursday and will start.

Brodeur, who needs eight wins to break Patrick Roy’s NHL record of 551, has been sidelined since tearing a tendon in his left biceps on Nov. 1.