LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Los Angeles Kings goaltender David Rittich (31) during an NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks on April 13, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.

Kings turn to Rittich for Game 4 vs. Oilers

2 years ago
Icon Sportswire / Getty

The Los Angeles Kings turned to David Rittich in net for Game 4 against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday night.

Cam Talbot started the first three games, posting a 5.30 goals-against average and an .861 save percentage. He ranks last among all netminders in the postseason in both goals saved above average (minus-3.74) and goals saved above expected (minus-3.08) at all strengths, according to Evolving-Hockey.

Edmonton holds a 2-1 series lead.

Rittich went 13-6-3 in the regular season with a stellar .921 save percentage and 2.15 goals-against average. His last appearance came on April 13 in a 3-1 victory against the Anaheim Ducks.

The 31-year-old made two starts against the Oilers in the regular season - a 4-0 shutout victory and 4-2 loss - and registered a .930 save percentage while turning aside 53 of 57 shots.

Rittich only has two games of playoff experience; he appeared in one contest as a member of the Calgary Flames in 2020 and one with the Nashville Predators two years later. It's a severely limited sample size, but he owns a postseason save percentage of .636.

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