The Los Angeles Kings have recalled goaltender Erik Portillo from the AHL’s Ontario Reign to serve as a backup for tonight’s game against the Colorado Avalanche, as starter Darcy Kuemper is ill. Portillo, a 2019 third-round pick, has shown promise with a .918 save percentage in his debut season, though his performance dipped to .889 last year due to a backup role. This season, he has rebounded, posting a 14-3-1 record and .905 save percentage. With another year on his contract, Portillo may soon be considered a viable NHL option, despite Kuemper and Forsberg’s existing contracts.
