Avalanche goalie Darcy Kuemper exits Game 1 with upper-body injury

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper left in the second period of Game 1 against the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Finals and the team announced him as doubtful to return with an upper-body injury.

Kuemper, 32, allowed three goals Tuesday before his exit, but the Avalanche scored seven times in the second period and chased Oilers goaltender Mike Smith to the bench. The concern for Colorado will be Kuemper's availability for the remainder of the series against Edmonton.

In the first round of the playoffs, Kuemper suffered an eye injury in Game 3 when a stick went through his mask. The injury kept him out of action for Game 4, but Colorado finished the series sweep anyway with Pavel Francouz filling in during a 5-3 win against the Nashville Predators.

Francouz, 31, came in Tuesday after Kuemper's departure and made 11 saves with one goal allowed in the final 12 minutes of the second period.

Kuemper started 57 games for the Avalanche during the regular season and allowed 2.54 goals per game. Francouz started 18 and finished with a 2.55 goals allowed average.