EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — David Rittich will be the starting goaltender for the Los Angeles Kings in Game 4 of their first-round NHL playoffs series against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday night.
Rittich replaces Cam Talbot, who had a 5.31 goals-against average and .891 save percentage in the first three games. Talbot allowed 13 goals in the Kings two losses, including Friday night's 6-1 loss that put the Oilers up 2-1 in the series.
Kings interim coach Jim Hiller told reporters during Sunday's morning skate that he informed the goalies of his decision on Saturday.
“David is going to go, we feel good about that. I thought Cam did a good job, that's not it," Hiller said. "David has played really well for us, played well against Edmonton, so we'll give him a go.”
Rittich played in 24 games during the regular season, starting 22. He had a 13-6-3 record with a 2.15 goals-against average and .921 save percentage.
He also had three shutouts, including Feb. 10 against the Oilers, when he stopped 26 shots in the Kings 4-0 victory.
Rittich's last start came on April 13 against Anaheim, when he made 28 saves in a 3-1 win.
“He’s played very well. The important part is he’s played well after he has sit for awhile,” Hiller said.
This will be Rittich's second career postseason start. He got the call in Game 1 of the Nashville Predators first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche in 2022, but was pulled after allowing five goals on 13 shots in the first 15 minutes of a 7-2 loss.
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The puck flies by Los Angeles Kings goaltender Cam Talbot (39) as Edmonton Oilers center Sam Carrick (39) jumps out of the way while defenseman Jordan Spence (21), right wing Corey Perry (90) and center Blake Lizotte (46) watch during the third period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. There was no goal on the play. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
DENVER (AP) — Wyatt Johnston scored twice on the eve of his 21st birthday as the Dallas Stars pushed Colorado to the brink of elimination Monday night with a 5-1 win in Game 4 that came hours after Avalanche standout Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months.
Johnston had shorthanded and power-play goals for the Stars, who grabbed a 3-1 lead in the second-round, best-of-seven series. Dallas can close it out at home in Game 5 on Wednesday.
Miro Heiskanen and Evgenii Dadonov also scored, while Sam Steel added a late empty-net goal. Jake Oettinger made 24 saves.
About an hour before the game, the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association announced that Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay. He was placed in stage 3 of the league’s player assistance program. It’s the second time this season Nichushkin has been in the program.
A Colorado lineup missing Nichushkin, the team’s leading goal scorer (nine) in this playoff run, struggled early to get on track and was outshot by a 16-2 margin in the first period. Casey Mittelstadt scored Colorado’s lone goal.
The Avalanche also were without standout defenseman Devon Toews, who was a late scratch due to an illness. Colorado's defense couldn't prevent Johnston and the Stars from building a 3-0 lead in the second period. Dallas has yet to trail in regulation during the series.
Johnston, who turns 21 on Tuesday, scored his 10th and 11th career playoff goals. He became the eighth player in NHL history to reach double-digit postseason goals at age 20 or younger, according to league research.
The Stars saw forward Roope Hintz leave the game after suffering an upper-body injury in the opening period.
Alexandar Georgiev was kept busy all night, stopping 29 shots.
Avalanche forward Jonathan Drouin played in his first postseason game this season, stepping in to fill the void of Nichushkin. Drouin has been sidelined since he suffered a lower-body injury in the regular-season finale.
Caleb Jones was inserted into the lineup with Toews out and was whistled for two penalties.
The Avalanche dropped both home games to Dallas in this series. Colorado posted the NHL’s best home record (31-9-1) in the regular season.
Johnston took advantage of a Cale Makar turnover late in the first period and scored a shorthanded goal to give the Stars a 1-0 lead. It's the second shorthanded goal of the series for Dallas.
The Stars have outscored the Avalanche 6-0 in the opening period.
Colorado's frustration was on display after the first-period buzzer, with Colorado defenseman Josh Manson taking exception to Jamie Benn running into Georgiev. Manson pounced on Benn and both were hit with penalties — Manson for roughing and Benn for goaltender interference.
Benn delivered a big hit on Toews in Game 2.
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Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene, front, passes the puck in the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche, Monday, May 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars center Logan Stankoven, left, drives toward Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar in the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Monday, May 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell (23) fights for control of the puck with Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) in the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Monday, May 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) becomes entangled with Colorado Avalanche left wing Jonathan Drouin. back left, in the first period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Monday, May 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars left wing Mason Marchment, right, struggles to control the puck as Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar covers in the first period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Monday, May 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, center, pursues the puck after driving past Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, left, and right wing Mikko Rantanen, right, in the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Monday, May 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars center Joe Pavelski (16) shoots against Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev in the first period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Monday, May 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston (53) battles for control of the puck with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, right, in the first period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Monday, May 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
