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Los Angeles Kings News
Kuemper will start in San Jose on Monday.

Charlie Lindgren has seen an increased workload in the crease for the Capitals lately but, after allowing five goals in their 5-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Friday, Kuemper will be the starter on Monday and get the chance to regain control of the crease. Kuemper has been wildly inconsistent this season and only has a quality start in three of nine contests this season (.333 QS%), numbers that rival career lows and are significantly lower than his career average of .548 QS%. That said, Kuemper is coming off a serviceable performance in which he saved 24 of 27 shots (.889 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres that he will hope to build on. The Capitals are heavy -236 road favourites against the last-place San Jose Sharks, who they defeated 4-3 less than a month ago.

Darcy Kuemper
Andrei Kuzmenko will draw back into the Canucks' lineup Tuesday vs. Anaheim.

Kuzmenko has been a surprise healthy scratch for the Canucks' previous two games but will draw back into the lineup Tuesday as they take on Anaheim. The 27-year-old sophomore was sent to the press box after putting up three goals, 11 assists, 28 SOG, and a +1 plus/minus in 19 games to start the 2023-24 season.

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

Charlie Lindgren has seen an increased workload in the crease for the Capitals lately but, after allowing five goals in their 5-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Friday, Kuemper will likely be the starter on Monday and get the chance to regain control of the crease. Kuemper has been wildly inconsistent this season and only has a quality start in three of nine contests this season (.333 QS%), numbers that rival career lows and are significantly lower than his career average of .548 QS%. That said, Kuemper is coming off a serviceable performance in which he saved 24 of 27 shots (.889 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres that he will hope to build on. The Capitals are heavy -236 road favourites against the last-place San Jose Sharks, who they defeated 4-3 less than a month ago.

Darcy Kuemper
Pheonix Copley will start Saturday vs. Montreal.

Copley will take over the Kings' crease for the second time in three games Saturday vs. Montreal after stopped 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a victory last start. The 31-year-old Alaskan native has struggled out of the gate this season, with his 2-0-2 record, 3.75 GAA and .845 SV%. He will face the Montreal Canadiens for a matinee showdown, who has won two straight games but are 25th in the NHL in goals per game (2.85).

Pheonix Copley
Andrei Kuzmenko is expected to be a healthy scratch Friday vs. Seattle.

Kuzmenko has seen extended time on the Canucks top powerplay unit this season while playing primarily alongside Elias Pettersson at even strength. In 19 games this season, Kuzmenko has 14 points (3G / 11A) while averaging 15:24 time-on-ice. However, in his most recent contest, Kuzmenko registered a -3 plus/minus, failing to score a point while playing only 14:33. His top-line role will likely be filled by Sam Lafferty, who is expected to slide up the lineup.

Andrei Kuzmenko
Darcy Kuemper will start Wednesday vs. Buffalo.

Several minor injuries tied in with the strong play of Charlie Lindgren have limited Kuemper to only one start since November 2nd, but he will return to the create on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. Kuemper has struggled this season, posting an uncharacteristic 3.07 GAA and .892 SV% through eight games (3-3-2), and has historically been poor against the Sabres with a 3.69 GAA and .878 SV% in seven career meetings (3-2-1). That said, the Capitals have won four straight and are -120 home favourites against a Sabres team that will again be without Tage Thompson (upper-body).

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

Several minor injuries tied in with the strong play of Charlie Lindgren have limited Kuemper to only one start since November 2nd, but he will likely return to the create on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. Kuemper has struggled this season, posting an uncharacteristic 3.07 GAA and .892 SV% through eight games (3-3-2), and has historically been poor against the Sabres with a 3.69 GAA and .878 SV% in seven career meetings (3-2-1). That said, the Capitals have won four straight and are -120 home favourites against a Sabres team that will again be without Tage Thompson (upper-body).

Darcy Kuemper
Copley will start in Arizona on Monday.

Copley, widely believed to be a time-share goalie with Cam Talbot at the beginning of the season, will start for only the second time since the end of October on Monday. Oddly enough, of Copley's four starts this season, two have been against the Arizona Coyotes, who the Kings will face on Monday. In his first contest against the Coyotes, Copley was serviceable, saving 24 of 27 shots (.889 SV%) in a 6-3 victory, followed up by allowing three goals on six shots (.500 SV%) before being relieved by Talbot, who salvaged an eventual 5-4 victory for the Kings. Even with Copley between the pipes, the Kings are -144 road favourites against a Coyotes team that will be without their top-line center, Barret Hayton.

Pheonix Copley
Pheonix Copley is in the starter's net at the Kings' morning skate.

Copley, widely believed to be a time-share goalie with Cam Talbot at the beginning of the season, will likely start for only the second time since the end of October on Monday. Oddly enough, of Copley's four starts this season, two have been against the Arizona Coyotes, who the Kings will face on Monday. In his first contest against the Coyotes, Copley was serviceable, saving 24 of 27 shots (.889 SV%) in a 6-3 victory, followed up by allowing three goals on six shots (.500 SV%) before being relieved by Talbot, who salvaged an eventual 5-4 victory for the Kings. Even with Copley between the pipes, the Kings are -144 road favourites against a Coyotes team that will be without their top-line center, Barret Hayton.

Pheonix Copley
Los Angeles has signed Koehn Ziemmer to a three-year, $2.625 million entry-level contract.

Ziemmer was Los Angeles 2023 third-round pick (78th overall) and has signed a three-year, $2.625 million entry-level contract Friday. The 18-year-old right-winger his having an excellent third season in Prince George (WHL), as he has seven goals, 24 points, six PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through 16 games played.

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