Kuemper turned aside 41 of 44 shots in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes, with Carolina's final goal getting scored into an empty net.

EDGE Analysis

Alex Ovechkin was the only Capitals skater who seemed aware the team was fighting for a playoff spot, and Kuemper was hung out to dry as his team got outshot 45-16 on the night. Even so, he kept things close and didn't give up the lead until Carolina potted two power-play tallies in the third period. The 33-year-old netminder hasn't won a game since Feb. 26, making only four appearances and giving up 14 goals on 107 shots (.869 save percentage). With Charlie Lindgren struggling too of late, the duo could be moving into a timeshare as coach Spencer Carbery tries to find something that works.

Kuemper is expected to start on the road against Carolina on Friday, Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kuemper has a 13-13-3 record, 3.32 GAA and .888 save percentage in 32 outings in 2023-24. This will be his first start since March 22, when he stopped just 18 of 22 shots in 39:54 of ice time before being pulled en route to a 7-6 shootout win over the Hurricanes. Although Washington won that contest, given how Kuemper performed on a personal level, he'll be entering this rematch with something to prove. The Hurricanes, who rank eighth offensively this year with 3.34 goals per game, will be a challenging adversary.

Kuemper turned aside all four shots he faced after replacing Charlie Lindgren early in the third period of Tuesday's 6-2 loss to the Sabres. Lindgren was credited with the defeat.

EDGE Analysis

Buffalo struck three times in the first six minutes of the third to chase Lindgren from the game, forcing Kuemper into action. The 33-year-old Kuemper has made only two starts since the beginning of March, and he got the hook himself in one of them. His 3.32 GAA and .888 save percentage on the season are far from impressive. The Capitals are hanging onto the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference by their fingernails, but there's been no indication Kuemper will see a bigger workload down the stretch.

Kuemper allowed four goals on 22 shots before being replaced by Charlie Lindgren to begin the third period in Friday's 7-6 shootout win over the Hurricanes.

EDGE Analysis

It was a tough night for the goalies in general, but at least Kuemper managed to avoid taking a loss after exiting the game with Washington facing a 4-3 deficit heading into the second intermission. It was only Kuemper's third start since Feb. 20, and he's done little to show that he deserves an increased workload, giving up 14 goals on 80 shots (.825 save percentage) in those three outings.

Kuemper is expected to get the home start versus Carolina on Friday, Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kuemper struggled in his last start, giving up seven goals on 37 shots in a loss to the Oilers on Mar. 13. Kuemper is 13-13-3 with a 3.29 GAA and an .890 save percentage and has lost the No. 1 gig in Washington to Charlie Lindgren. The Hurricanes are averaging 3.39 goals, eighth in the NHL.

Kuemper gave up seven goals on 37 shots in Wednesday's 7-2 loss to the Oilers.

EDGE Analysis

It was a brutal night for Kuemper in his first start since Feb. 26. Edmonton scored three times in the opening frame and twice in the subsequent two periods, sticking the 33-year-old netminder with the loss. Kuemper falls to 13-13-3 on the season with an .890 save percentage and 3.29 GAA. Charlie Lindgren is expected to be back in net Thursday when the Caps visit Seattle.

Kuemper was the first goalie to leave the ice at morning skate, Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post reports, indicating he'll be in goal on the road versus Edmonton on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Kuemper will be between the pipes for the first time since Feb. 26, a stretch of six games on the bench. The veteran backstop has just 13 victories this season and will be hard-pressed to reach the 20-win mark for the third straight campaign after conceding the starting job to Charlie Lindgren earlier in the year.

Kuemper (illness) is expected to be well enough to back up Charlie Lindgren on Saturday versus Chicago, accordong to Tom Gulitti of NHL.com.

EDGE Analysis

Kuemper was slated to get the start Thursday versus Pittsburgh, but he was too ill to dress. Kuemper is 13-12-3 with a 3.15 GAA and an .893 save percentage in 2023-24.

Kuemper won't play Thursday versus Pittsburgh because of an illness.

EDGE Analysis

Kuemper has a 13-12-3 record, 3.15 GAA and .893 save percentage in 29 outings this season. Charlie Lindgren is expected to start against the Penguins while Hunter Shepard, who was called up from AHL Hershey, will serve as the backup goaltender.

Kuemper is dealing with an illness and will be a game-time decision versus Pittsburgh on Thursday, according to Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post.

EDGE Analysis

Kuemper was unavailable for the morning skate. He was expected to get the start Thursday but that's now up in the air and Charlie Lindgren could be between the pipes in Pittsburgh. Kuemper has won his last two starts, upping his record to 13-12-3 this season.