It looks like Pavel Francouz will start Game 2 of the Western Conference Final for the Colorado Avalanche.
According to Peter Baugh of The Athletic, Darcy Kuemper isn’t on the ice for Colorado’s morning skate, meaning Francouz is likely to start on Thursday night against the Edmonton Oilers.
Kuemper started Game 1, allowed three goals on 16 shots, and was pulled seven minutes into the second period with an upper-body injury. Francouz came into the game in relief, stopped 18 of 21 shots and earned the win as the Avs skated away with an 8-6 victory to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar was tight-lipped on Wednesday as Kuemper wasn’t on the ice for the team’s optional practice. When asked about Kuemper’s status for Game 2, Bednar said, “We’ll see. I don’t know yet.”
Francouz played in 21 games for the Avs during the regular season and posted a .916 save percentage. He has an .891 save percentage over the course of nine playoff games in his NHL career.
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