Kings' Kuemper leaves loss vs. Avalanche with apparent injury

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper exited Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in the third period with an apparent injury.

Kings head coach Jim Hiller offered no update postgame, per Kings Insider Zach Dooley.

Kuemper appeared to be favoring his lower body during his final shift before play was blown dead and he left the ice down the tunnel. He notably missed four games earlier in the season with a groin injury.

The 34-year-old owned an .899 save percentage in nine games entering Wednesday. He stopped 18 of 20 Avalanche shots before departing.

David Rittich came into the game in relief and allowed one goal on four shots. He entered the evening with an .890 save percentage in eight appearances this season. Pheonix Copley would likely be recalled if Kuemper is forced to miss time.

The Kings acquired Kuemper - a 2022 Stanley Cup champion with the Avalanche - in an offseason trade with the Washington Capitals in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois.