Los Angeles Kings News

Andrei Kuzmenko (upper body) will be a game-time decision Saturday vs. Seattle.

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 and did not play Thursday vs. Calgary. 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
Andrei Kuzmenko (face) will be out 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 and will miss Thursday vs. Calgary. 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
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
Copley will start Thursday's game against the Penguins.

It's Copley's first start since October 27th's game in Arizona, when he was pulled in favour of Cam Talbot after allowing three goals on just six shots. Thanks to his own struggles and an excellent run of form from Talbot, Copley has been relegated back to his usual back-up role after he made a career-high 37 appearances for the Kings last year. Copley owns an abysmal .788 SV% and a 4.98 GAA across three starts this season. Copley and the Kings are slight favourites at -120 over the Penguins on Thursday.

Pheonix Copley
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