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During Tuesday evening’s match, Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper exited the contest versus the visiting New York Rangers following an on-ice contact incident in front of the net during the latter part of the initial period.
Jim Hiller, the head coach for Los Angeles, chose not to disclose the specifics of Kuemper’s ailment, and he lacked certainty regarding its seriousness right after the Kings secured a 4-3 win.
“There isn’t a great deal I can provide,” Hiller stated. “We anticipate having additional details [on Wednesday].”
Kuemper, slated to represent Canada at the upcoming Olympics, sustained his injury when Jonny Brodzinski of the Rangers made contact with Kuemper’s head during an attempt to halt his momentum following a two-on-one attack on the goal.
Despite the contact not seeming forceful, Kuemper reportedly signaled to the referees for a pause in the game shortly thereafter. He then moved tentatively on the ice before heading into the Kings’ locker room passage with 38.8 seconds remaining in the frame.
Kuemper was sidelined for the latter half of December following a head impact from Mikko Rantanen during a defeat in Dallas. Hiller indicated that he does not presently consider Kuemper’s recent injury to be similar to the previous month’s issue.
“Based on my current understanding, I don’t expect that situation,” Hiller commented. “I lack sufficient certainty to make a definitive statement, but I did manage to briefly converse with him, and he appeared to be fine concerning that aspect.”
Nineteen-year-old Macklin Celebrini will join Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon on the Canadian men’s Olympic hockey team, as NHLers return to the Winter Games for the first time in more than a decade.
Kuemper rejoined the Kings roster on January 1st and has participated in nine out of their eleven matchups this current month.
Substitute goalie Anton Forsberg took Kuemper’s place and achieved 28 stops in a remarkable display, guiding the Kings to a win.
“It transpired very rapidly, right at the conclusion of the period,” Forsberg remarked. “With only a few seconds remaining, the immediate goal was simply to finish the first period and then assess the situation. My focus was on my own actions and maintaining my style of play. I entered and discovered I would be playing the entire match, so from that moment, it was all about concentration.”
On New Year’s Eve, the 35-year-old Kuemper was chosen for Canada’s Olympic squad, becoming part of a goaltending trio with Jordan Binnington and Logan Thompson.
Hailing from Saskatchewan, Kuemper possesses 14 seasons of NHL experience and secured the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.
The Kings ended a streak of four consecutive losses by defeating New York. Their next game isn’t until Saturday, marking the start of a six-game away series in St. Louis.
Host Karissa Donkin and hockey analyst Jeff Marek react to Team Canada’s men’s hockey roster for Milano Cortina 2026.
