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Colorado Avalanche: Right move starting Darcy Kuemper in Game 6

By Graham Tiedtke

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 15: Goaltender Darcy Kuemper #35 of the Colorado Avalanche is congratulated by Nathan MacKinnon #29 and Kurtis MacDermid #56 after a shutout against the Arizona Coyotes in the NHL game at Gila River Arena on January 15, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Avalanche defeated the Coyotes 5-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 15: Goaltender Darcy Kuemper #35 of the Colorado Avalanche is congratulated by Nathan MacKinnon #29 and Kurtis MacDermid #56 after a shutout against the Arizona Coyotes in the NHL game at Gila River Arena on January 15, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Avalanche defeated the Coyotes 5-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Colorado Avalanche will be starting Darcy Kuemper in net for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Sometimes, a change to your most important position in sports is the right move to make. For the Colorado Avalanche, I’m not so sure the same applies for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Avalanche will go ahead and start Darcy Kuemper on Sunday, a game that could determine the Stanley Cup winner. The Avalanche lead the series 3-2, and can make it 4-2 with a win, closing out the series.

I have seen some fans question whether or not Kuemper should be in net or if the Avalanche should start Pavel Francouz after Kuemper let in some weak goals on Friday. I get it. Fans are frustrated. I’d imagine some are frustrated that the Avalanche didn’t shut out the Lightning at home like they did in Game 2.

Switching goalies right before a game like this could potentially send the wrong message to the team, and this would be the worst time to do so.

The fact of the matter is that throughout a series, teams make adjustments. It just was not Colorado’s time in Game 5.

The Colorado Avalanche need to make proper adjustments in Game 6.

Sure, you can point blame at Darcy Kuemper for not stopping what looked to be an easy shot.  The goal I am referring to is the first one the Avalanche allowed, where the puck went under Kuemper’s left arm into the net. That should have been a fairly easy shot to save.

The Avalanche need to do their best to limit Tampa Bay’s shot total and increase theirs.

In Game 2, Colorado had 30 shots on net and scored seven goals. They gave up. Only 16 shots that game and not a single goal.

In Game 5, the Lightning took control of the puck while in Game 2, they hardly had any opportunities. I understand that it is easier said than done, but if the Avalanche want to mimic the performance they had in Game 2, they have to go back and watch that game. I’m sure they have already done that, so now it’s just putting it all together.

Taking as much pressure off of Darcy Kuemper as possible needs to be a focal point as they try and win their first Stanley Cup since the early 2000s.

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