Once he’s healthy, the Avalanche need to go back to Darcy Kuemper

Pavel Francouz has been stellar in relief of Colorado's injured goaltender, but the starting job still belongs to the 10-year veteran

BY JAMES MERILATT

Jun 6, 2022, 6:40 AM

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Pavel Francouz has been terrific in relief of Darcy Kuemper. In the last two games, against the high-flying Edmonton Oilers, the Avalanche’s backup goaltender has given up just two goals on 53 shots.

Colorado has won both games. As a result, they now hold a commanding 3-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals, just one win away from their first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals since 2001.

Francouz has played a big role. The chants of “Frankie! Frankie! Frankie!” from the Ball Arena crowd in the waning moments of his shutout performance in Game 2 were well-deserved. He’s become a bit of a cult figure, the type of unsung hero that fans rally around and every championship team needs.

But the hyperbole surrounding the Avs backup netminder is getting slightly out of control. The anointing of Francouz as the starter between the pipes throughout the rest of the postseason is a bit premature.

Should he start in Game 4? Absolutely. Even if Kuemper is healthy, Francouz is the hot hand; Jared Bednar should stick with him. Ride that wave as long as it goes.

But as soon as it comes crashing down, the Avs head coach should go back to his starter. Immediately. No questions asked.

There’s a reason Kuemper is the starter. He was 37-12-4 during the regular season, with a .921 save percentage. He’s a legit No. 1 goaltender on any team and has been throughout his 10-year career.

Francouz is a career backup. He’s 31 years old and has 48 starts in the NHL. There’s a reason.

Frankie isn’t a late bloomer. This isn’t a Disney movie where the star finally gets discovered after being overlooked for years. He’s not a great goalie.

One guy is a starter. The other is a backup. Period.

Over a large sample size, that would show up. Give it enough games and it would become evident.

It’s like playing blackjack or roulette. Over time, the house is going to win. But for short spurts, there are opportunities to win big.

The Avs are in one of those windows. That’s why they should ride Francouz. They need to keep playing the hot hand.

But as soon as it ends, as soon as the house starts winning again, Bednar needs to cash in his chips. He needs to be happy with the winning streak and call it a night.

That moment is going to come. Will it be tonight? Hopefully not. Will it be in the Stanley Cup Finals? Most likely at some point.

But to suggest that it won’t come is naive. And to argue that it doesn’t matter is delusional.

If Francouz gives up seven goals in Game 4, Bednar should stick with him on Wednesday night? Of course not. That’d be foolish.

As is the notion that Frankie is the guy moving forward. That’s the sentiment of someone caught up in the moment. That’s loving the story and missing the bigger picture.

Pavel Francouz has been stellar the last two games. He deserves to keep playing.

But his job security is game by game, perhaps even period by period. Once Darcy Kuemper is healthy, it’s his net as soon as Francouz falters.

In this Hollywood screenplay, Frankie isn’t the leading man. He’s the member of the ensemble cast that steals a couple of scenes.

That’s a great role. It’s one he’s played to perfection.

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