The Los Angeles Kings are currently without Darcy Kuemper as he was placed on injured reserve last week. They have moved forward with David Rittich as their starting goalie, who has been playing well and in his last four starts has a save percentage of .943.
It remains to be seen how long Kuemper is going to be out but in the interim has called up Erik Portillo from the Ontario Reign to back up Rittich. Portillo was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in a trade in 2023 and recently signed a three-year contract with the Kings.
The former Sabres' third round pick certainly has a chance to be the future at the position for the Kings. However, he has yet to play in an NHL game but that should change this weekend against the Seattle Kraken.
Los Angeles Kings have great opportunity to play Erik Portillo against the Kraken
The Los Angeles Kings have a perfect game to introduce Portillo to the NHL on Saturday against the Seattle Kraken. This will be a home game for the Kings and the Kraken have not been a great offensive team this season.
Through 20 games, the Kraken are averaging only 2.85 goals per game while ranking 22nd in shots at 547 or around 27 per game. The Kings certainly could look to have Portillo make his first start on Monday as the Kings play the San Jose Sharks, who are only averaging 2.45 goals per game, but that is a road game.
If the Kings want to set him up for success, a home game makes more sense as the Kings have been much better at home with a 5-2-1 record this season.
With a big matchup against Winnipeg after the Sharks game, the Kings should look to give David Rittich a night off here in the next two games to make sure he is rested and ready to go against the Jets. If that is the plan, then giving Erik Portillo the start against the Sharks makes a lot of sense and will give fans a glimpse into what the future might hold for the position.