ARIZONA COYOTES

Coyotes’ Darcy Kuemper leaves game after taking stick to face

Apr 2, 2019, 9:21 PM | Updated: Apr 3, 2019, 9:14 am

Los Angeles Kings center Trevor Lewis (22) gets Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) in th...

Los Angeles Kings center Trevor Lewis (22) gets Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) in the face with his stick, after Lewis scored a goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, April 2, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Kings defeated the Coyotes 3-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper left Tuesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Kings after taking a stick blade to the face. He was later ruled out for the rest of the game.

The play occurred in the third period when L.A.’s Trevor Lewis skated toward the net and backhanded a puck in for the Kings’ second goal, making it 2-1. On Lewis’ follow-through, his blade caught Kuemper, evidently from the opening at the bottom of Kuemper’s mask.

Kuemper went down immediately and stayed there for several moments while he was looked at by a trainer. He was removed from the game, covering his face as he exited, and he was relieved by backup Calvin Pickard.

“I just saw him. It looked bad, but I think he’s going to be OK,” head coach Rick Tocchet said after the game. “I don’t know the status. Just was worried about his eye, but he says he feels OK. But still, I think it’s blurry. I mean, honestly, I don’t know a ton of it, but he seemed in pretty good spirits.”

Coyotes general manager John Chayka told Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station on Wednesday morning that Kuemper was “OK,” and that the injury was “nothing too serious, by the sounds of it.” Kuemper had an appointment scheduled Wednesday to have his injury examined further.

The 28-year-old Kuemper has been one of the Coyotes’ most important players this season, filling in after the starting netminder Antti Raanta went down with an injury in late November. Kuemper’s last two games at Gila River Arena prior to Tuesday were shutouts, of the Blackhawks and Wild, respectively.

Kuemper was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week on Monday.

This season, Kuemper’s seventh in the NHL, the Saskatchewan native has nearly doubled his career high in starts, making his 54th start on Tuesday. His previous career high was 28.

Kuemper’s .924 save percentage and 2.34 goals against average coming into Tuesday ranked ninth and sixth in the NHL, respectively.

“The confidence in him right now, he’s unbelievable,” Coyotes forward Josh Archibald said on Sunday. “He’s the backbone of our team right now. He’s made timely saves, he’s made huge saves. He’s just been a tremendous team guy for us and we couldn’t thank him enough for everything he’s done so far.”

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Coyotes

Matias Maccelli #63 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck during an NHL game at Mullett Arena...

Associated Press

Josh Doan nets twice in NHL debut, Coyotes score 4 goals in 3rd and beat Blue Jackets

Josh Doan had two goals including the go-ahead score in his first NHL game and the Arizona Coyotes beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2.

1 day ago

ASU hockey player Josh Doan and father Shane Doan wave to fans before the ceremonial first puck to ...

David Veenstra

Arizona Coyotes forward Josh Doan scores twice in NHL debut

Coyotes forward Josh Doan scored twice in his NHL debut on Tuesday. Doan had goals in the second and third period against Columbus. 

2 days ago

Josh Doan...

Damon Allred

Arizona Coyotes recall forward Josh Doan from Tucson Roadrunners

The Arizona Coyotes recalled former second-round pick Josh Doan, son of former captain Shane Doan, from the Tucson Roadrunners.

3 days ago

Miro Heiskanen #4 of the Dallas Stars skates with the puck while being defended by Alex Kerfoot #15...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes fall to Dallas Stars for 2nd time in last 3 games

Miro Heiskanen broke a tie with 5:28 left and the Stars won their fourth consecutive game, beating the Coyotes on Sunday night.

4 days ago

Dylan Guenther...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Dylan Guenther scores overtime game-winner vs. Kraken

Dylan Guenther scored in overtime to give the Arizona Coyotes a win over Seattle on Friday night.

5 days ago

Arizona Coyotes center Liam O'Brien...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ struggles in Dallas continue despite Clayton Keller stacking goals

The Dallas Stars extended their home points streak against the Coyotes to 19 games with a victory on Wednesday night.

8 days ago

Coyotes’ Darcy Kuemper leaves game after taking stick to face