The Colorado Avalanche have reached the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2001. If they want to claim the franchise's third championship, they have a tall task ahead of them. They play against the two-time Stanley Cup defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning.
One of the key matchups in this series will be goaltending. The Avalanche lost their starting goalie, Darcy Kuemper, to an upper body injury during the Western Conference Finals in Game 1. He did not return in that series but has been reported to be 100 percent healthy now.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar refused to openly state whether Kuemper or backup Pavel Francouz would start Game 1. Well, there was one key indicator earlier Wednesday at practice.
Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper skated in the starter's net during practice, suggesting he will likely get the nod for Game 1, though head coach Jared Bednar declined to confirm which of his team's goalies would be between the pipes tonight. https://t.co/OSgTIBr0dH
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 15, 2022
Kuemper skated in the starter's net during the open portion of practice Wednesday. That tends to be the indicator as to who will be in goal.
When Kuemper was out, Francouz was outstanding in net. He won all three starts that series and is 6-0 in the playoffs with a 2.86 goals against average and a .905 save percentage. Those are actually better numbers than Kuemper has posted this postseason. Kuemper is 6-2 with a .265 GAA and an .897 save percentage.
It appears that the Avalanche are going with the goalie that led them all season though. Kuemper was 37-12-4 this season with five shutouts.
The matchup between Colorado and Tampa Bay is one of the most anticipated in recent memory. It's the first time in almost 20 years that the two teams favored to win the title entering the season will square off. There are superstars on both teams. If the Avalanche win this series though, they are going to need Kuemper, or Francouz, to play well.
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