Netminder Pavel Francouz to start Game 2 for injured Darcy Kuemper for Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Edmonton Oilers 8-6 in the opening game of the Western Conference Final on Tuesday but suffered an all-too-familiar setback when starting goaltender Darcy Kuemper left the contest in the second period with an undisclosed upper-body injury.

That issue will keep Kuemper a spectator for at least another night. 

According to Tracey Myers of the NHL's website, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar confirmed that backup Pavel Francouz will get the start for Game 2 of the series at Colorado's Ball Arena on Thursday evening. Francouz is no stranger to this postseason tournament. He filled in when Kuemper was sidelined with a right eye injury after he was accidentally poked by a stick during the first-round sweep of the Nashville Predators. Francouz allowed three goals on 21 shots in Tuesday's victory. 

"We have a lot of confidence in 'Frankie,'" Bednar remarked. "I mean, he's played really well for us over the last few years."

Francouz has gone 3-0 during the playoffs with a 3.59 goals-against average and .889 save percentage over his three appearances. Kuemper, meanwhile, didn't take the ice for Thursday's morning skate, and his status beyond Game 2 is unclear. 

"Stepping into this situation in the Nashville series, he did a great job for us," Bednar added about Francouz. "Coming in the other night, he did a nice job for us. We're completely confident he can get the job done."

The 22-year-old Justus Annunen will serve as Francouz's backup on Thursday. Annunen made his NHL debut during the 2021-22 regular season and went 1-1-0 with a 4.34 goals-against average and a .863 save percentage.