After blanking the Avalanche in the first game of the season on Thursday, the WIld went back to Kuemper in the second game of the home-and-home and he stopped all 30 shots that he faced for a second straight shutout vs. Colorado. The Wild's goaltending situation seemed to be a mess entering the season, but this is a superb start for Kuemper. Not to mention he also had eight goals of goal support in two games.
Kuemper stopped all 16 shots that he faced in the Wild's 5-0 victory over the Avalanche on Thursday. The Wild were dominant from start to finish, setting a franchise record with 48 shots. They will get a chance to start the season 2-0 with another win over the Avalanche tomorrow. After Kuemper's season debut, expect another strong outing.
Kuemper went 2-0 with a 2.20 GAA and .916 SV% in three preseason outings. With Josh Harding out, Kuemper had to battle Niklas Backstrom to earn the right to start and evidently he won. This is still expected to be a fluid situation with the starting goalie being determined as a game-to-game decision, but at least for now it looks like Kuemper has the upper-hand.
Barring any concussion issues, Edler is likely being held out for precautionary reasons. He is coming off of the worst season of his career, so I am sure he wanted to start the year off on a better note, but expect him to be ready for the start of the regular season.
Zuccarello, 26, showed that he is more than just a shootout specialist in 2013-14. He recorded 19 goals and 40 assists (59 points) in 77 games--which led the Rangers. He was a part of New York's best line last season, playing most of the year with Derick Brassard and Benoit Pouliot, but now Pouliot wears Blue and Orange, so Zuccarello will have to get acclimated with at least one new linemate this season.
Kuemper has been out for the entire second round after getting hurt late in game 7 vs. Colorado. With Ilya Bryzgalov posting a 2.22 GAA and .899 SV% through the first five games, the Wild will stick with him in the must-win game 6 at home. Should Bryz falter, Kuemper will be there to relieve him.
Kuemper will miss his second straight game after suffering an upper-body injury late in game 7 vs. the Avalanche. Ilya Bryzgalov will once again be between the pipes, he allowed four goals on 21 shots in the game 1 defeat.
Kuemper left in the third period of game 7 vs. the Avalanche and did not return. He will not start or backup in game 1, but is only listed as day-to-day as he stays home to recieve treatment. John Curry will back-up Ilya Bryzgalov tonight.
Kuemper stopped 21 of 23 shots in a huge 5-2 win over the Avalanche in game 6. Kuemper will start tonight in his first career game 7. Kuemper ranks second in the NHL with a 1.53 GAA and fourth with a .934 SV% this postseason, stopping 99-of-106 shots in parts of five games.
Kuemper allowed four goals on 35 shots in Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss. In his three starts in this series, Kuemper has allowed just five goals on 69 shots (.927 SV%). He has solidified the Wild's crease once again and will play a massive role in continuing their season tonight. Four of the five games this series have been one-goal games, so expect another tightly contested game tonight in Minnesota.
After recording a shutout in his first career NHL playoff game, Kuemper has the Wild back on track as they try to climb back from a 2-1 deficit in the series.
Doughty has been battling an upper-body injury, no word if he has re-aggravated the injury or if this is just rest related.
Doughty missed Saturday's game with an upper-body injury, but could be back in the lineup on Wednesday. He is listed as day-to-day, and he could be held out on Wednesday to rest prior to the post-season.
Campbell, 26, is in his sixth year with the Manchester Monarchs. He has three goals and 13 assists (16 points) in 68 games this season. Drew Doughty likely won't be playing because of an upper-body injury, which opens the door for Campbell.
Doughty was injured in the Kings' loss to the Sharks on Thursday. He does not have a stall in the Kings' dressing room which suggests that he is out. Head coach Darryl Sutter called him day-to-day--another sign he will not play.
Doughty was injured when he went for a hit on Sharks forward Tyler Kennedy mid-way through the first period. As of the time the team left the arena, it was not clear whether Doughty would travel with to Vancouver, where the Canucks will host the Kings on Saturday night. Expect an update later on Friday.
Bryzgalov will be backed up tonight by Rob Laurie, a 43-year-old who in the last calendar year has served as an emergency goalie for the Anaheim Ducks and most recently the Vancouver Canucks against Anaheim in January. He has been signed to a pro tryout. Kuemper is listed as day-to-day.
Kuemper was yanked after allowed three goals on 12 shots in a loss to the Canucks last night. Ilya Bryzgalov did not do any better, so the Wild will go back to Kuemper tonight. They likely want to see how he will face the adversity of losing four in a row and being pulled last night. It won't be easy in St. Louis and you should look at the other available goalie options.
Kuemper allowed three goals on 30 shots in a 3-2 loss to the Red Wings on Saturday. He has lost three games in a row despite posting a 2.27 GAA and .920 SV%. Tonight, the Wild will roll him back out there when they host the Canucks. Kuemper has gone 7-2-2 with a 1.79 GAA and .936 SV% at Xcel Energy Center this season.
