In the 2020-21 season, goaltender Anton Forsberg played just eight games for the Ottawa Senators. The following 2021-22 season was when Forsberg appeared to have been the goaltender of the future for the Senators.
Over the next three seasons, Forsberg had inconsistency and couldn't find his rhythm. Forsberg's 2024-25 season was his best of the three seasons, but the Senators saw enough and now have Leevi Merilainen as Linus Ullmark's backup.
This past offseason, Forsberg signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings. Fast forward to November 2025, and the Kings are seeing the inconsistency of Forsberg that the Senators know about well.
Forsberg is struggling in Los Angeles as Keumper's backup
Forsberg began his Kings tenure with a rocky start on Oct. 8. While he did earn his first win as a King by making 30 saves, he allowed in five goals against the Vegas Golden Knights. Since then, Forsberg's play has been inconsistent.
After his Kings debut, Forsberg was better in his second start with making 22 saves in a 4-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 16. Forsberg allowed in three goals in the loss to Pittsburgh. Forsberg then got the start the very next game for the Kings against the Carolina Hurricanes. While Forsberg did make 36 saves, the Kings fell 4-3 in overtime.
Forsberg would have to wait eight days until his next start. When he started, Forsberg had his best game as a King. Forsberg made 22 saves to help the Kings earn a 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. But once again, Forsberg has a solid start followed by a brutal start.
In Forsberg's next and most recent start on Nov. 6, he allowed in five goals in the Kings' 5-2 loss against the Florida Panthers. In two of his five starts this season, Forsberg has allowed in five goals.
Overall this season, Forsberg has a 2-2-1 record with a 3.54 GAA and .878 save percentage in five starts. Not the greatest stats for a backup goaltender through five starts this season.
Darcy Kuemper is the Kings' number one goaltender. However, having a good backup is just as important. So far, Forsberg's inconsistency is something the Kings are experiencing, which the Senators know about well from his past play.
Even though the Kings are in the mix of the playoff standings with a 7-5-4 overall record, currently one point behind the Utah Mammoth for the second Wild Card spot, it does feel like having an inconsistent backup goaltender could be a potential achilles heel with Forsberg.