Goalie Darcy Kuemper exited the Los Angeles Kings’ game against the New York Rangers following a crease collision late in the first period on Tuesday evening. Los Angeles head coach Jim Hiller refrained from disclosing the specifics of Kuemper’s injury, expressing uncertainty about its seriousness after the Kings’ 4-3 triumph.
“I don’t have much to share,” Hiller remarked. “We’ll likely have more information [Wednesday].”
Kuemper, anticipated to represent Canada at the upcoming Olympics, sustained the injury when the Rangers’ Jonny Brodzinski made contact with Kuemper’s head while attempting to halt a two-on-one rush towards the net. Although the collision did not seem forceful, Kuemper signaled for a stoppage in play moments later. He skated cautiously before heading to the Kings’ dressing room with 38.8 seconds remaining in the period.
In December, Kuemper missed the latter part of the month after a head blow from Mikko Rantanen during a game in Dallas. Hiller indicated that he does not believe Kuemper’s current injury mirrors last month’s setback.
“Based on what I know, I don’t think it’s similar,” Hiller stated. “I don’t have all the details to comment definitively, but I did speak with him briefly, and it seemed like he was handling it well.”
Kuemper returned on January 1 for the Kings and has participated in nine of the team’s 11 games this month. Backup goaltender Anton Forsberg took over for Kuemper, delivering an exceptional performance with 28 saves that contributed to the Kings’ victory.
The 35-year-old Kuemper was chosen for Canada’s Olympic squad on New Year’s Eve alongside goalies Jordan Binnington and Logan Thompson. Kuemper, a veteran of 14 NHL seasons from Saskatchewan, clinched the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.
The Kings halted a four-game losing streak with their win against New York and will resume play on Saturday with the start of a six-game road trip in St. Louis.