Zachary Engberg
2 min read • June 01, 2022
Posted in
The Colorado Avalanche will likely be without starting goalkeeper Darcy Kuemper for the third period of tonight's Game 1 after he suffered an apparent upper body injury late in the second.
Kuemper was replaced by Pavel Francouz after a TV timeout stoppage 7:19 into the second period, with Colorado holding a 6-3 lead over the Oilers.
The Avalanche, leading 7-4 at the end of the second, listed him as doubtful to return.
The nature and severity of his injury is not clear at this time, as upper body could refer to anything from his stomach to his shoulders or head.
A report from 104.3 The Fan and Colorado Hockey Now's Avalanche insider, Adrian Dater, says that his absence is related to the eye injury Kuemper suffered in Game 3 of the first round.
Kuemper took a stick to his right eye and missed Game 4. The 32-year-old returned to start every game of the second round series win over the Blues.
We have no clear video evidence or parallel reporting to corroborate Dater's report at this time.
The eye injury potentially lingering more than three weeks later is worrisome.
Depth perception, especially for goalkeepers, is essential in hockey. If he has an eye issue impacting his depth perception, he will have difficulty tracking the puck and seeing the ice well.
The fact that he was ruled doubtful and not immediately out means that Kuemper was attempting to play through the ailment.
He appeared to talk with Colorado head coach Jared Bednar during the aforementioned TV timeout before immediately skating off the ice and being replaced in the net by Francouz.
He has the second-best playoff goals allowed per game rate among goalies left at 2.44, but by far the worst save percentage at .904.
Written by Zachary Engberg
