Kings turn to Rittich for Game 4 vs. Oilers

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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