Avs, Oilers aim to shore up defenses

Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper remains questionable for Game 2. Same with the Oilers’ Mike Smith.

Same with the defense in front of them, for that matter.

To put it kindly, the defense for the Avs and Oilers was shaky in Game 1 of a Western Conference final that produced 14 goals and 84 shots. It was the highest-scoring conference finals game in 37 years.

There could be more fireworks in store Thursday night. That’s just the byproduct of the fast-paced style both teams like to play even if it may come at a cost on the other end.

“As a group, we can be better defensively,” said Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, who had a goal and two assists in his team’s 8-6 win at home.

Betting on adjustments being made? “I would expect it to tighten up because I’m sure they’re feeling the same way,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “You’re not going to win a lot of playoff games when you give up six or seven.”

Bednar had no status update on Kuemper, who left in the second period with what the team said was an upper-body injury. Kuemper allowed three goals on 16 shots before departing.

Backup Pavel Francouz took over and surrendered three goals on 21 shots.

There are goaltender quandaries on the Oilers’ side, too. Smith was taken out in the second period after allowing six goals on 25 shots. Mikko Koskinen held the Avs in check — one goal on 21 shots.

Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft was noncommittal about his net situation Wednesday.

Smith also was yanked during a 9-6 loss in Game 1 against the Flames in the second round, only to respond with four straight victories.

Golf: Three-time PGA Tour winner Bart Bryant was killed when a truck slammed into his SUV while he was stopped in a line of vehicles on a central Florida road for a construction crew, authorities said. Bryant, 59, was unresponsive when emergency responders in Polk City found him Tuesday afternoon. He was taken to a hospital where he died. His wife, Donna, 49, also was in the vehicle and was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Bryant’s older brother, Brad, also won on the PGA Tour.

NBA: The Nets deferred the acquisition of the 76ers’ 2022 first-round pick at No. 23 to the 2023 draft, ESPN reported. The pick was part of the James Harden trade.

NFL: The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform invited NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Commanders owner Dan Snyder to appear at a hearing later this month. Committee members say they sent letters to the league and team requesting Goodell and Snyder appear June 22. Congress launched an investigation into the organization’s workplace culture last year after the league declined to release a report about an independent review it oversaw that led to a $10 million fine . ... The Cowboys announced that former RB Marion Barber III died at the age of 38. The cause of death wasn’t yet known. Barber, who played at Minnesota in college, played for the Cowboys from 2005-10 and was named to Pro Bowl in 2007. He spent the 2011 season — his final year in the NFL — with the Bears.