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Los Angeles Kings News

Alex Laferriere will be a healthy scratch Thursday vs. Florida.

Laferriere has played all 14 games with the Kings this season, registering three points (2G / 1A) and 28 shots on goal. The first-year winger has most recently played on a line with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Arthur Kaliyev and will be replaced by Jared Anderson-Dolan on Thursday.

Alex Laferriere
Andrei Kuzmenko (undisclosed) is a game-time decision Thursday vs. Calgary.

Kuzmenko exited the game in the third period in obvious discomfort on Wednesday after taking a puck to the face against the New York Islanders. The second-year NHLer has picked up where he left off the 2022-23 campaign, being consistent all season, potting 14 points (3G / 11A) in 16 games.

Andrei Kuzmenko
Darcy Kuemper left Washington's practice Wednesday with a lower-body injury.

Kuemper left practice in difficulty with an apparent lower-body injury on Wednesday. Kuemper had just returned to the lineup and served as the backup to Charlie Lindgren after not dressing for two games with an undisclosed injury. It is unclear at this time if Kuemper will miss any time. He has an uncharacteristically poor 3.07 GAA and .892 SV% through eight games this season (3-3-2).

Darcy Kuemper
Darcy Kuemper (undisclosed) will dress Tuesday vs. Vegas but back up Charlie Lindgren.

Kuemper (undisclosed) will make his return to the Capitals lineup on Tuesday after not dressing for their previous two games but will serve as the backup, likely to Lindgren, who has started two of their last four contests. Kuemper has not played since November 8th and has struggled to find his form this season, posting a 3.07 GAA and .892 SV% through eight games (3-3-2).

Darcy Kuemper
Darcy Kuemper (undisclosed) is banged up and will miss Friday vs. New Jersey.

Kuemper isn't expected to miss significant time but did not participate in practice on Friday and will be unavailable for their game against the New Jersey Devils. The Capitals have called up Hunter Shepard from Hershey (AHL), who will back up Charlie Lindgren on Friday. Shepard saved 18 of 22 shots in his only NHL game earlier this season, a 6-4 victory over the New Jersey Devils.

Darcy Kuemper
Anton Forsberg will start Thursday vs. Vancouver.

Forsberg will take the crease for Ottawa's second-half of their back-to-back vs. Vancouver after their victory over Toronto on Wednesday night. The 30-year-old has struggled mightily when called upon in 2023-24, with his 2-2-0 record, .863 SV% and 3.42 GAA. He takes on the surging Vancouver Canucks, who have won four straight games and are first in the NHL in goals per game (4.5).

Anton Forsberg
Kuemper will start against the Panthers on Wednesday.

Kuemper will return to the Capitals crease on Wednesday after serving as the backup to Charlie Lindgren in the team's most recent contest, a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Kuemper has been inconsistent this season, playing well below his career average, likely a reflection of the Capitals team in front of him who, despite a respectable 5-4-1 start, ranks 31st in the league offensively (1.90 GF / GP). In his most recent game, Kuemper allowed three goals on 21 shots (.857 SV%) in a 3-0 loss to the New York Rangers. On Wednesday, the Capitals are +118 home underdogs as they welcome the Florida Panthers, who have collected points in five of their last six outings (4-1-1).

Darcy Kuemper
Darcy Kuemper was the first goalie off the ice at Washington's morning skate.

Kuemper will likely return to the Capitals crease on Wednesday after serving as the backup to Charlie Lindgren in the team's most recent contest, a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Kuemper has been inconsistent this season, playing well below his career average, likely a reflection of the Capitals team in front of him who, despite a respectable 5-4-1 start, ranks 31st in the league offensively (1.90 GF / GP). In his most recent game, Kuemper allowed three goals on 21 shots (.857 SV%) in a 3-0 loss to the New York Rangers. On Wednesday, the Capitals are +118 home underdogs as they welcome the Florida Panthers, who have collected points in five of their last six outings (4-1-1).

Darcy Kuemper
Kuemper will start against the Islanders on Thursday.

Kuemper was sensational in his last start as he kept a two game winning streak alive after stopping 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a victory over San Jose and is expected to start Thursday vs. the New York Islanders. The 33-year-old netminder has had an up-and-down start to his 2023-24 season, with his 3-2-0 record, .903 SV% and 2.92 GAA. He hosts the Islanders at home Thursday, who are ninth in the NHL in shots per game (32.9) but have struggled to score ranking 25th in goals per game (2.63).

Darcy Kuemper
Darcy Kuemper is expected to start Thursday vs. the New York Islanders.

Kuemper was sensational in his last start as he kept a two game winning streak alive after stopping 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a victory over San Jose and is expected to start Thursday vs. the New York Islanders. The 33-year-old netminder has had an up-and-down start to his 2023-24 season, with his 3-2-0 record, .903 SV% and 2.92 GAA. He hosts the Islanders at home Thursday, who are ninth in the NHL in shots per game (32.9) but have struggled to score ranking 25th in goals per game (2.63).

Darcy Kuemper
Kuemper will start Sunday vs. the Sharks.

Kuemper is fresh off his finest start of the season after turning away 39 of the 41 shots he faced in Friday's 3-2 shootout victory over the Wild. The 33-year-old will be hoping it's a sign of things to come after enduring a rocky start to his 2023-24 season. Kuemper owns an .890 SV% and a 3.29 GAA to go along with a 2-2-1 record through his first five starts of the season. He's in a great spot to pick up another win on Sunday with the Capitals being -220 home favourites over the winless Sharks.

Darcy Kuemper