Avs' Darcy Kuemper Leaves Game 3 After Scary Injury

The Colorado Avalanche organization was holding their breath during Game 3 after goaltender Darcy Kuemper took a stick through his mask. The wild incident led to the netminder leaving the game and not returning.

The play happened late in the first period as Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen accidently got mixed up with the Colorado goalie. All accidental, but certainly worrisome as Johansen's stick caught Kuemper extremely close to his eye.

Backup tender Pavel Francouz came on in relief for Colorado and was able to help secure a 7-3 win and give the Avalanche a strangle hold 3-0 series lead. Avs head coach Jared Bednar said after the game he fully expects for Kuemper to suit up in Game 4 even with the eye injury.

Here's the play that could have ended much worse:

Darcy Kuemper was forced to leave the ice after Ryan Johansen's stick accidentally got through his mask and into the right eye area.

Pavel Francouz has come on in Kuemper's place. pic.twitter.com/9dIBwaYLMY
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 7, 2022