Avalanche coach Jared Bednar suggested that goalie Philipp Grubauer will get approximately 55 starts this season, leaving about 27 for backup Pavel Francouz.
In games that go into a shootout, the Avs might have more success with the backup, given that Francouz is one of those rare right-catching goalies who forces shooters to think twice about what move to make.
“He’s lights-out in shootouts,” said Avs forward Sheldon Dries, who played with Francouz with the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League last season.
Most NHL goalies catch with their left hand and hold the stick with the right.