In this past game for the Los Angeles Kings vs. the Nashville Predators on home ice early this week on Monday night (April 6), the goaltending won the game for interim head coach DJ Smith in the West in the extra time in the shootout in the standings this regular season. In the extra time in the shootout on the ice, goalie Anton Forsberg stopped three out of three shots in clutch time for the Kings to deliver the win in the West vs. Nashville in an important game in net for the team.
Anton Forsberg has led the Los Angeles Kings to clutch wins in back-to-back starts in the West
This past regular season in the West, goalie Darcy Kuemper was the steady anchor in the crease for the Kings that was a Vezina Trophy finalist. Kuemper was the Kings' best and most consistent starting goalie in this past half decade in the early-to-mid 2020s. The Kings got Kuemper on the trade block in 2024 from the Washington Capitals, a couple of seasons ago.
Last season, Kuemper was a rock and a steady anchor consistently for the Kings defensively in the net. He registered a save percentage north of .920 and over 30 wins and a career-high five shutouts.
Kuemper started off this regular season in the West in the Pacific Division well for the Kings defensively. He registered a save percentage over .910 in the season's first three months on the ice for the Kings in the West. In this past couple of months, Kuemper has struggled for the Kings in net defensively.
Forsberg has stepped up in a big way for the Kings in the West this past few weeks this regular season down the stretch for the team. In the past six starts, Forsberg has helped the Kings beat two playoff teams and earn points in four games in the standings in the West.
"Obviously, both me and Darce want to play as much as possible, right? We’re there to support each other. That’s a part of a team and when the other one plays, the other guy works hard, works on this game, and we take it day-by-day."Anton Forsberg
In this past couple of weeks, Forsberg has looked very confident and steady defensively in net for the Kings and Smith. He's helped the Kings win the last two consecutive games in the West this regular season down the stretch, including overtime and shootout wins in extra trime over the Predators and St. Louis Blues.
Forsberg has faced some playoff opponents for the Kings this regular season in the West down the stretch. He's played disciplined and made big saves in clutch time in the final frame in the third period and in the extra frame in overtime for the Kings in this past couple of weeks since last month in late March.
Kuemper was the starting goalie that Smith and the Kings' coaching staff were confident in playing down the stretch this regular season in the West in the Pacific Division. But concerning starts from Kuemper has brought about some issues with him starting down the stretch this regular season in this upcoming next couple of weeks for the Kings in the Pacific Division.
The Kings need Forsberg to be clutch in stopping pucks for them in net in this regular season's last five remaining games in this upcoming next couple of weeks this month in early-to-mid April in the West.