Los Angeles Kings’ goaltender Darcy Kuemper exited the game against the New York Rangers due to an on-ice collision during the first period on Tuesday night. Head coach Jim Hiller refrained from disclosing the specifics of Kuemper’s injury post-game, stating uncertainty about its seriousness and indicating more information might be available the following day.
Kuemper, slated to represent Canada at the upcoming Olympics, sustained the injury when the Rangers’ Jonny Brodzinski made contact with his head during a play near the net. Despite the collision not being forceful, Kuemper signaled for a stoppage shortly after the incident. Subsequently, he left the ice with 38.8 seconds remaining in the period and headed to the dressing room for evaluation.
Having previously missed games in December due to a head injury, Kuemper’s current ailment is not believed to be a recurrence of the prior setback, as per Hiller’s initial assessment. Kuemper returned to play on January 1 and has been a key player in the Kings’ recent matches.
With Kuemper sidelined, backup goalie Anton Forsberg stepped in admirably, making 28 saves to help secure the Kings’ 4-3 win. The victory ended the team’s four-game losing streak, providing a much-needed boost before their upcoming road trip.
Kuemper, a veteran NHL player hailing from Saskatchewan and a Stanley Cup champion with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022, was named to Canada’s Olympic roster alongside fellow goalies Jordan Binnington and Logan Thompson. The Kings will resume action on Saturday with a game in St. Louis, marking the start of a challenging six-game road stretch.
The team’s success in Kuemper’s absence underscores their depth and resilience as they navigate the competitive NHL season.