Kuemper Injured as Avalanche Take Commanding Series Lead

The Colorado Avalanche picked up their third win of the postseason on Saturday, but they picked up a loss along the way.

Goaltender Darcy Kuemper took a stick to the eye in the late stages of the first period. The contact appeared to be completely incidental, but the toe of a stick managed to sneak through his mask. Kuemper did not return and was replaced by Pavel Francouz.

Kuemper is one of Colorado’s most important players, as they need his play in goal to complement the high-flying offense at the other end of the ice. In the regular season, he compiled a 37-12-4 record with a .921 save percentage and a 2.54 goals against average.

He has been just as solid this postseason, as he has posted a .934 save percentage and a 1.63 goals against average. His best game so far was his 25-save overtime performance in Game 2.

The Avalanche lost Darcy Kuemper in their Game 3 win.

For Colorado, the loss of its starting goaltender did not sink the team in Saturday’s game. Though the score was at one point tied at three, the Avs pulled away and ultimately won the contest by four goals.

The potent attack of the Avalanche recorded at least two goals in each period of Game 3, scoring seven goals in a game for the second time this postseason. In relief, Francouz stopped 18 of the 20 shots that he faced.

Coach Jared Bednar did not make the Kuemper injury seem as though it would be long-term. In fact, he didn’t even rule out the possibility that his starting netminder could return for Game 4.

If the Avalanche hope to finally get past the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they will need Kuemper back in the lineup. The good news right now is that with a 3-0 series lead, the Avs should have no problem getting by the Preds, with or without number 35 in goal.

Game 4 between the Avalanche and the Predators will be on Monday in Nashville as Colorado looks for the first-round sweep of its division rival.