Darcy Kuemper Delivers Again, but Kings Fall Short in Overtime
If you’re just looking at the final score, this one might feel like another tough night for the Kings. A 2–1 overtime loss to the Flames doesn’t exactly jump off the page. But when you slow it down and really look at what happened, Darcy Kuemper’s performance tells a much deeper story.
Kuemper was under pressure almost all night, and it showed early. Shot after shot kept coming his way, and Calgary wasn’t shy about testing him from every angle. In the end, 38 shots were fired on goal, and 36 of them were turned aside. That kind of workload doesn’t happen by accident. It usually means a goalie is being asked to bail his team out repeatedly, and that’s exactly what was asked of Kuemper here.
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Only two pucks managed to get past him, and one of those came in overtime, when games often turn into chaos and one small breakdown can decide everything. The loss was officially recorded, but it didn’t feel like Kuemper was the reason the Kings walked away with just one point.
What’s been especially striking is how consistent he has been lately. This outing marked his fifth straight game allowing two goals or fewer, a stretch that usually leads to wins. Yet somehow, the record during that run now sits at 2-2-1. That contrast says a lot about where the Kings are right now. Solid goaltending has been provided, but the offensive support hasn’t always followed.
This game also stands out because of the sheer volume of shots Kuemper faced. The 38 attempts were the second-most he’s seen all season, with only one game back in late October being tougher. Even then, his calm presence in the crease was obvious. Rebounds were controlled, angles were cut off, and difficult saves were made look routine.
On the season as a whole, Kuemper’s numbers continue to impress. A 10-6-6 record, a 2.21 goals-against average, and a .916 save percentage across 22 starts reflect a goalie who is doing his job night after night. The challenge has been converting those efforts into wins.
Now, the Kings are packing their bags for a three-game road trip, starting in Dallas. If recent performances are any indication, Kuemper will give them a chance to win every time he steps on the ice. Whether the results start to match the effort may depend less on him, and more on what happens at the other end of the rink.
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