There is a fear that Kuemper could be out for up to one month, but his timetable will become more clear after he is re-evaluated back in Arizona. Kuemper at the very least is expected to miss the next six games of the Coyotes' road-trip, turning the goaltending duties over to Antti Raanta and Adin Hill.
Kuemper will not be available for Friday’s game vs. Colorado, so Adin Hill will make his first start of the season and Antti Raanta will serve as the backup. The Coyotes called his injury “very minor” but it seems unlikely that he’ll be available for tomorrow’s rematch.
Kuemper made 14 saves on 16 shots in the Coyotes win over the Ducks last Thursday. It was a light night for Kuemper, who has given up two or less goals in four straight games and carries a 2.44 GAA and .910 SV% into Tuesday's game in St. Louis. The Blues have won three straight games and are averaging 3.44 goals per game, which ranks ninth in the NHL.
Kuemper stopped 26 of 27 shots in the Coyotes' 1-0 loss to Vegas on Sunday. After a bit of a tough start to the season, Kuemper has played really well in his last two starts, stopping 55 of the 58 shots (.948 SV%) that he's faced. He'll be thankful that he doesn't have to face the Golden Knights, after four straight starts vs. Vegas. He draws a great matchup vs. a Ducks team that he was 1-1-0 while allowing just five goals on 63 shots (.921 SV%) against in 2020.
Kuemper allowed three goals on 35 shots in the Coyotes shootout loss to the Sharks on opening night. Antti Raanta started Saturday’s game so Kuemper will be fresh to start a week where they will play the Golden Knights four times in seven days. Kuemper was 1-0-1 while stopping 74 of 76 shots (.974 SV%) in two games vs. Vegas last year.
Kuemper was 16-11-2 with a 2.22 GAA and .928 SV% in 29 games in 2020. Kuemper has been terrific over the last two seasons, posting a 2.29 GAA and .926 SV% in 84 starts. Kuemper is one of the best goalies in the league but has little help in front of him, which will limit his upside in 2021. In his only start vs. the Sharks a season ago, Kuemper stopped 26 of 28 shots in a winning effort.
