Kuemper also benefits from playing behind one of the league’s strongest defensive teams. The Kings limit the opposition to an average of 25.4 shots on goal, second-best behind Carolina.

Blake had just been hired as GM in 2017 when he signed the then-27-year-old Kuemper to a one-year deal after five years in Minnesota. Kuemper put up a .932 save percentage in 19 games with the ...