As the Los Angeles Kings look ahead to the 2026-27 NHL season, their goaltending strategy might be due for a major shakeup. Instead of a traditional starter-and-backup setup, the team could be moving toward a 1A, 1B tandem—a shift that could redefine their defensive identity.

Let's rewind to the start of the 2025-26 season. The Kings had a no-brainer choice in net: Darcy Kuemper. Fresh off a Vezina-nominated campaign, Kuemper was the undisputed starter, and his elite play helped the Kings post some of the league's best defensive numbers—ranking 7th in goals against average. For much of the season, Kuemper carried the load, playing more games than backup Anton Forsberg and keeping L.A. firmly in the playoff race.

But as the season wore on, cracks began to show. Over his final 10 starts, Kuemper's game took a noticeable dip. He managed just four wins, one regulation loss, and five overtime losses—a stretch that left the Kings clinging to the second wild-card spot. By April 1st, with the playoffs hanging in the balance, the team made a bold call: they handed the crease to Anton Forsberg.

Forsberg seized the opportunity. In six starts as the new No. 1, he posted five wins and just one loss. Even more impressive? He did it with a save percentage under .900—a testament to timely saves and a defense that rose to the occasion. His lone loss came after the Kings had already clinched a playoff berth, a luxury the team hadn't enjoyed in weeks.

When you compare their final 10 starts, the numbers tell a compelling story. Kuemper allowed 31 goals with a 3.10 goals-against average, while Forsberg surrendered just 21 goals with a 2.23 GAA. It's no surprise the Kings made the switch—Forsberg was simply playing better hockey when it mattered most.

That momentum carried into the playoffs, where Forsberg started all four games against the Colorado Avalanche. Though the Kings were swept, the experience could shape their approach for next season. Instead of riding one goalie into the ground, a true 1A/1B tandem might keep both netminders fresh, competitive, and ready for the long haul. For Kings fans, that could mean a more balanced, resilient team between the pipes—and a deeper run next spring.