David Rittich will be the starting goaltender for the Los Angeles Kings in Game 4 of the first-round NHL playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday night.
Rittich replaces Cam Talbot, who had a 5.31 goals-against average and .891 save percentage through his first three games. Talbot allowed 13 goals including two in Kings’ losses 6-1 loss on Friday night Which gave the Oilers a 2-1 lead in the series.
Kings interim coach Jim Hiller told reporters during Sunday morning skate that he informed the goaltenders of his decision on Saturday.
“David is going to go, we feel good about it. I thought Cam did a good job, but he didn’t,” Hiller said. “David has played really well for us, played well against Edmonton, so we’ll give him a chance.”
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Rittich played in 24 games during the regular season, starting 22. His record was 13–6–3 with a 2.15 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage.
He also had three shutouts, including February 10 against the OilersWhen he stopped 26 shots in the Kings’ 4–0 win.
Rittich’s last start came on April 13 against Anaheim, when he made 28 saves in a 3–1 win.
“He has played very well. The important thing is that he has played well after sitting for a while, Hiller said.
This will be Rittich’s second career postseason start. He received a call up to Game 1 of the Nashville Predators’ first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche in 2022, but was removed after allowing five goals on 13 shots in the first 15 minutes of a 7–2 loss.
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