Darcy Kuemper has been cleared to return to the Los Angeles Kings after a frightening neck injury against the New York Rangers. The veteran goaltender lost feeling in his arm following a collision with Jonny Brodzinski but felt better the next day. Additional tests confirmed his availability for the upcoming road trip starting Saturday in St. Louis.

The 35-year-old is a key piece for the Kings, who have leaned on his veteran presence this season. He's posted a 12-9-9 record with a 2.52 GAA and .904 save percentage in 32 games. This marks his second injury absence this year, having previously missed six games in December with an upper-body issue.

Kuemper's return is crucial not just for Los Angeles but for Team Canada, which named him to its Olympic roster alongside Jordan Binnington and Logan Thompson. As a first-time Olympian and Stanley Cup champion with Colorado in 2022, his health is paramount for both his club's playoff push and his country's gold medal aspirations in Milan.