Kuemper Has Golden Response To Capitals’ Cancelled Shootout

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Capitals were supposed to go to the shootout at the end of Saturday’s preseason finale against the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, once Dylan Strome and the team finished celebrating No. 17’s overtime winner, they quickly exited to the locker room, not going through with a scheduled shootout.

At the end of preseason games, teams can elect whether to have a shootout or not to close out the games for extra practice in exhibitions. Saturday saw a change of events, and Darcy Kuemper won’t lose sleep over it.

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The 32-year-old veteran didn’t know who cancelled it, but insisted he wasn’t responsible after a busy night saw him stop 36 of 39 shots (.923 save percentage). Washington ultimately came back from two deficits to defeat Columbus, 4-3, in OT.

“It’s good to get the practice, but at the same time, it’s kind of hard to get into one right after an overtime win or something and the game’s over. I wasn’t upset when I saw it [was cancelled],” Kuemper laughed.

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Kuemper was strong through three preseason appearances, collecting two wins and boasting a .938 save percentage and 1.97 GAA.