Los Angeles Kings News

Darcy Kuemper will start Wednesday vs. the New York Rangers.

Kuemper did not play the last two games before the Christmas break for the Capitals but seems to be turning the corner on a terrible start to the 2023-24 campaign. In his first 13 games (5-6-2), Kuemper posted an ugly .887 SV% but is boasting a stellar .947 SV% in three games since (3-0-0), riding three consecutive quality starts for the first time this season. That said, the Capitals are sizeable +181 road underdogs against a New York Rangers team that has won four of their last five outings (4-1-0).

Darcy Kuemper
Cole Guttman will be a healthy scratch Friday vs. Montreal.

Guttman is expected to be a healthy scratch on Friday, allowing Philipp Kurashev (illness) to return to the lineup after a one-game absence. Guttman has appeared in nine straight games for the Blackhawks and has three points (2G / 1A), 18 shots, and eight blocks through 14 games on the season.

Cole Guttman
Darcy Kuemper will start Wednesday vs. the New York Islanders.

On the front end of a back-to-back for the Capitals, Kuemper will start for the second straight game. Kuemper is riding consecutive quality starts and wins for only the second time this season, and will look for his first three-game winning streak on Wednesday. The 33-year-old netminder has saved 60 of the last 63 shots he has faced (.952 SV%). The Capitals are -114 home favourites against a New York Islanders team that has been scoring at an impressive rate lately, averaging 4.1 goals per game over their last 11 contests (7-2-2). Kuemper allowed three goals on 21 shots (.857 SV%) in a losing effort to the Islanders last month.

Darcy Kuemper
Andrei Kuzmenko is expected to be a healthy scratch Tuesday vs. Nashville.

After being a healthy scratch at the end of November, Kuzmenko played 10 consecutive games but will again be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Nashville Predators. In those 10 games, Kuzmenko has three points (3G / 0A) and is averaging only 13:53 time-on-ice, a significant drop from the 15:24 he was averaging in the 19 games leading up to then.

Andrei Kuzmenko
Forsberg will start in Dallas on Friday.

Forsberg will draw back into the Senators' crease for the first time since December 7th as Ottawa is set to play their second game in as many nights. Forsberg took the loss his last time out, allowing four goals on 22 shots enroute to a 4-3 defeat at the hands of the Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old netminder has endured a rocky start to his 2023-24 campaign, posting an .885 SV% and a 3.03 GAA. He draws another difficult assignment on Friday as the Senators find themselves as +185 underdogs in Dallas.

Anton Forsberg
Pheonix Copley (undisclosed) had to leave practice early after being helped off by training staff.

If Copley has to miss any time this season, the Kings will likely recall David Rittich, who has spent the entire season with the Ontario Reign (AHL), posting a 2.63 GAA and .901 SV% in 16 games (7-6-3). In any event, Cam Talbot should continue to see the lion's share of action between the pipes as he continues to have an exceptional season.

Pheonix Copley
Jacob Moverare will make his season debut Wednesday vs. Winnipeg.

Moverare had five assists, six PIMs and a +1 plus/minus in 16 games played with Ontario (AHL) to start the season but will make his season debut with the Los Angeles Kings Wednesday as he replaces Vladislav Gavrikov. The 25-year-old defensemen appeared in two games for the Kings in 2022-23, failing to pick up a point.

Jacob Moverare
Forsberg will start against the Maple Leafs on Thursday.

Forsberg has strung together two excellent performances and will start again on Thursday when the Senators take on the Toronto Maple Leafs. In his last two outings (2-0-0), Forsberg has saved 72 of 74 shots (.973 SV%), a turning point on an otherwise forgettable season in which he had a .850 SV% through his first seven contests (3-4-0). The Senators are +113 home underdogs on Thursday as the Maple Leafs have recorded at least a point in eight of their last nine games (5-1-3).

Anton Forsberg
Anton Forsberg is in the starter's crease at Thursday's morning skate.

Forsberg has strung together two excellent performances and will likely start again on Thursday when the Senators take on the Toronto Maple Leafs. In his last two outings (2-0-0), Forsberg has saved 72 of 74 shots (.973 SV%), a turning point on an otherwise forgettable season in which he had a .850 SV% through his first seven contests (3-4-0). The Senators are +113 home underdogs on Thursday as the Maple Leafs have recorded at least a point in eight of their last nine games (5-1-3).

Anton Forsberg