Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper exits Game 1 vs. Oilers with upper-body injury, doubtful to return
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper exited Game 1 of the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers after suffering a upper-body injury during the second period.
The Avalanche subsequently announced that Kuemper is doubtful to return to the game. Pavel Francouz replaced Kuemper in goal for Colorado.
Darcy Kuemper has left the game with an upper body injury and is doubtful to return.
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 1, 2022Kuemper, 32, allowed three goals on 16 shots in 27:19 before being replaced by Francouz. The Saskatoon product entered Tuesday’s action with a 6–2–0 record and a .904 save percentage in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs; during the regular season, Kuemper went 37–12–4 with a .921 save percentage.
Francouz has proven himself a capable fill-in since joining the Avalanche in 2018–19. The 31-year-old goaltender — one of the NHL’s rare right-catching goalies — went 15–5–1 with a .916 save percentage in 2021–22 and has two wins in two playoff appearances with Colorado this year.
Colorado currently leads Edmonton by a 7–5 score during the third period. Francouz will be credited with the decision (win or loss) for the Avalanche.