Darcy Kuemper’s 2025-26 season with the Los Angeles Kings has been a narrative of high-stakes pressure, fluctuation, and the heavy workload of being the veteran anchor for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations. The Kings find themselves deep in the Pacific Division playoff race, and Kuemper’s performance has been the most debated topic amongst fans.
While he was brought back to Los Angeles to provide a steady hand, his season has been a rollercoaster that has seen him both save the team from disaster and, at times, become the very reason they struggled to pull away in the standings.
Here’s What the Rest of the Season Looks Like
As we approach the final stretch of the regular season, Kuemper’s numbers reflect a goalie who has been under constant fire. In 47 games played, he has posted a record of 18-14-13. The most glaring statistic is the high number of overtime and shootout losses, which highlights a recurring theme this season: the Kings’ inability to close out games when he is in the crease.
The Kings need to be able to rely on their goaltender in crucial moments. A goaltender of his caliber needs to be able to defend his crease under pressure and shut down scoring opportunities.
What’s Holding the Team Back?
Throughout Dec. 2025 and Jan. 2026, there was a noticeable trend where Kuemper would allow a goal early in the game, immediately forcing the Kings to abandon their defense to chase a lead. The more loose and scattered the Kings appear, the worse it becomes as their structure falls apart and they’re stuck chasing the game rather than dominating the play.
Coming off the Olympics in February, where he won a silver medal with teammate Drew Doughty, Kuemper proved he’s the goaltender the Kings need in net. However, in some instances, the Canadian hasn’t been as solid in net. It seems to be a rollercoaster of sorts, where in one game, he is at his absolute best, and in another, the struggle early on is apparent. Until both the Kings and Kuemper can find consistency in the first 20 minutes of the game through sharp saves and better control, these inconsistencies will continue to hurt them.
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In tight divisional games against the Vegas Golden Knights or Edmonton Oilers, these lapses have turned potential wins into the many overtime losses that now crowd the Kings’ record. The frustration among the coaching staff has been visible, leading to increased starts for the backup goaltender, Anton Forsberg, as the team searches to stay afloat and hopefully clinch a spot in the 2026 Playoffs.
The Game-Changer
Despite the midseason slump and the countless “pull Kuemper” tweets on social media, the veteran netminder reminded the league of his track record in a pivotal late-March matchup, where he successfully earned a shutout against the Pacific Division rival, the Vancouver Canucks. The 6-foot-5 Canadian delivered a surprise of the season. He stopped 19 of the shots he faced, including a frantic third-period barrage where Vancouver had three power-play opportunities. It was his third shutout of the season and easily his most dominant. He looked like the goalie who won a Cup in his days with the Colorado Avalanche, as he was calm and collected.
This shutout was a shock not just because of Vancouver’s skill, but also because of Kuemper’s own recent trajectory. It served as a reminder that while he may hold the team back with inconsistency, he still possesses the “reset” button necessary for a deep playoff run. Kuemper’s performance has its ups and downs, but if he can maintain a steady pace of winning games and making crucial saves, he’ll be a force to reckon with.
