Both the Los Angeles Kings and Team Canada are anxiously awaiting updates on goaltender Darcy Kuemper’s condition following his injury in Tuesday’s matchup against the New York Rangers.
The incident occurred late in the first period when Rangers forward Jonny Brodzinski made contact with Kuemper’s head while charging toward the net during a two-on-one rush. Although the play continued, Kuemper eventually signaled to officials that he needed a stoppage. After briefly skating around the net, he made his way to the Kings’ bench, leading to Anton Forsberg stepping in as his replacement.
Kuemper did not come back for the second period, and the Kings later announced that he had sustained an upper-body injury. Before his departure, the veteran goaltender recorded six saves on eight shots.
As of Tuesday’s game, Kuemper had posted a record of 12 wins, 9 losses, and 9 overtime losses, along with a .905 save percentage and a 2.48 goals-against average across 31 games this season. Currently, the Kings are positioned sixth in the Pacific Division, just two points shy of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
If Kuemper is sidelined for an extended period, the Kings will likely turn to Forsberg, as well as Pheonix Copley, who is currently playing in the AHL, to help carry the team through this critical juncture in the season. The situation is particularly pressing given the team’s current standing, making Kuemper’s health pivotal for their playoff aspirations.