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Mike Smith in for the Edmonton Oilers, Darcy Kuemper out for the Colorado Avalance

Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
By Zach Laing
Jun 2, 2022, 12:23 EDTUpdated: Jun 2, 2022, 12:36 EDT
Big news in Colorado as Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper is out for game two against the Edmonton Oilers.
After leaving game one with an upper-body injury, Avs head coach Jared Bednar said it would be Pavel Francouz’s net tonight.
During Colorado’s morning skate, Francouz was seen in the starters net, while backup Justus Annunen was also on the ice. There was no sign of Kuemper on the ice.
For the Oilers, meanwhile, Mike Smith took the starter’s crease during the morning skate suggesting he will be back in action tonight. Smith was pulled in the second period of game one after allowing six goals on 25 shots.
Kuemper started game one for the Avs allowing three goals on 16 shots before he removed himself from the game seven minutes into the second period. Francouz replaced him in relief but struggled allowing three goals on 21 shots.
Francouz took the crease at times during the regular season for the Avs playing 21 games in which he posted a .916 save percentage. While that number is his career average, his numbers have dipped in the playoffs. Over the nine post-season games he’s played — including parts of three this year — he’s posted a .891 save percentage and a 3.34 GAA.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.
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