Screencap: @Capitals
Washington Capitals goaltender Darcy Kuemper spoke to the media following Saturday’s 4-3 overtime win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Capital One Arena in the team’s final preseason game.
“It’s nice to get those reps and kinda get back your game legs,” Kuemper said postgame, adding, “It’s nice to end on a win. Just feeling good heading into the regular season now.”
Darcy Kuemper stopped 36 of 39 shots against Columbus. In three preseason appearances, Kuemper posted a 2-0-0 record with a 1.97 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) October 9, 2022
After Wednesday’s game and tonight’s game, Kuemper made a total of 67 saves. “It’s nice to get some work, see those game situations that are kinda harder to replicate in practice, so yeah, I would think those were perfect preseason games to be in.”
On facing Columbus tonight, especially during the Capitals’ penalty kill, he said, “They had their full roster pretty much, I think…those power-play situations are great to face, and just feel comfortable with those situations going into the regular season is huge for everyone.”
Kuemper said the communication between him and the defense has been “really easy” and “natural,” saying, “The guys communicate great and they let me know what they want me to do when I go play the puck so, it’s been easy right from the start and I feel like it just [continues] to grow the more we play.”
The Capitals resume practice on Sunday before having the day off on Monday. The team will hold a final practice on Tuesday prior to their regular season opener against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday (7 PM ET, TNT).
“It’s nice to end on a win. Just feeling good heading into the regular season.”
Darcy Kuemper after the preseason finale#ALLCAPS | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/WX3AT3TSRV
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 9, 2022
By Della Young
If we get good goaltending, who knows.