Francouz in starter's net, Kuemper absent at Avs skate

Pavel Francouz appears set to make his second start of the postseason in Game 2 against the Edmonton Oilers.

Francouz was in the starter's net during the gameday skate for the Colorado Avalanche Thursday, while Game 1 starter Darcy Kuemper was not on the ice.

Francouz in starters net. Kuemper not on ice.

Kuemper left in the second period of his team's 8-6 win over the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday with an upper-body injury. Francouz, who last played during Colorado's first-round series against the Nashville Predators, made 18 saves on 21 shots in relief.

Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar has provided few updated on Kuemper's status, re-stating Wednesday "we'll see" when asked on the goaltender's timeline for recovery. He allowed three goals on 13 shots before exiting with the injury.

"I have a lot of faith in [Francouz]. So does our team," Bednar said after Game 1. "So, having a guy like that is obviously key. See through the playoffs how many teams are onto their second goalie and some teams' third and trying to survive. You've got to have capable goaltending from more than one guy, and we have it."

Francouz, 31, improved to 3-0 in the postseason with Tuesday's win, owning an .889 save percentage and a 3.59 GAA in three appearances and one start. He had a 15-5-1 record during the regular season with a .916 save percentage and a 2.55 GAA.

Kuemper, 32, has a 6-2 record in the playoffs with a .897 save percentage and a 2.65 goals-against average. He went 37-12-4 during the regular season with a .921 save percentage and a 2.54 GAA.