Colorado Avalanche starting goaltender Darcy Kuemper will be out for Game 2 against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday because of injury, coach Jared Bednar announced.
“Kuemper is out. I’m not going to give you any other lineup decisions," Bednar said.
Backup Pavel Francouz is expected to start with Justus Annunen as backup, though the team did not name a starter.
Kuemper left Tuesday's 8-6 win with an upper-body injury with 12:41 left in the second period and was replaced by Francouz. Kuemper allowed three goals on 16 shots before he exited. Francouz conceded three goals on 21 shots.
Francouz was 15-5-1 with a 2.55 GAA and .921 save percentage this season. He has started one game in the playoffs -- winning 5-3 in Game 4 of a first-round sweep against Nashville. The Czech native also has entered two games in relief -- and has a record of 3-0 with a 3.59 GAA and .889 save percentage.
“We have a lot of confidence in Frankie," Bednar said. "He’s played really well for us over the last few years. Stepping into the situation in the Nashville series, he did a great job for us and coming in the other night, he did a nice job for us. We’re completely confident that he can get the job done.”
Meanwhile, Avs forward Andre Burakovsky was not on the ice for morning skate. Bednar made no comment on his status.
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