Los Angeles Kings goalie stands out since returning from IR

The Los Angeles Kings started 2025 with a 3-0 victory about a very dangerous New Jersey Devils team. The win was another quality start for Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper. He continues his good streak since returning from a month-long absence due to injury.

The Kings are banking on Kuemper to lead this team to the postseason and so far he’s living up to the hype. Since returning in early December, the Kings have won five of their last seven starts and have earned at least one point for their team in each appearance.

Kuemper is having a excellent comeback season in Los Angeles after the team acquired him in a trade with the Washington Capitals during the summer. His play to start the 2024-2025 campaign earned him serious consideration for Team Canada in the upcoming 4 Nations showdown. Despite being excluded from the roster, he has been among the best in the league when healthy for the Kings. He has compiled a 9-2-5 record with a 2.43 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.

One aspect of the 34-year-old’s game that stands out this season is his ability to limit damage. He’s not the most athletic goalkeeper, but he makes up for it with his intelligence and experience. With the exception of a disastrous start in which he allowed eight goals earlier in the year, he has allowed three goals or fewer in 16 starts this season. He may not make every stop, but he’s showing that he can make the big stops when the team needs him most. He’s exactly what a team with playoff hopes needs, a netminder who can bail them out when needed and stable enough to manage the rest of the time.

The Kings are building their case as a playoff contender this year. The Western Conference is loaded with talented Stanley Cup contenders, but with the continued excellence of Darcy Kuemper and the rest of the team producing, the Kings continue to prove that they are one of the best teams in the NHL this year.

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