Kings make desperate goalie change for Game 4 vs. Oilers

The Los Angeles Kings are switching it up on defense as they continue to skate in the NHL playoffs. The Kings are putting David Rittich in net for a Game 4 showdown with the Edmonton Oilers, per Sports Net. Rittich is replacing Cam Talbot as goaltender for L.A.

“David is going to go, we feel good about that. I thought Cam did a good job, that’s not it,” Kings coach Jim Hiller said, per the Associated Press. “David has played really well for us, played well against Edmonton, so we’ll give him a go.”

Kings vs. Oilers

The Kings are out of sync in this playoff series. The Oilers have a 2-1 lead in the matchup, and Los Angeles must win Game 4 in order to stay in lockstep with Edmonton. The Kings have struggled on defense in the playoffs, giving up a total of 13 goals in their two losses. In the only victory, Edmonton needed five goals to nip the Oilers, 5-4.

Kings goalie Cam Talbot has been battered around by the Oilers’ skaters. He has allowed an average of 5.30 goals per game in this series, while posting a pedestrian save percentage of .861. Los Angeles clearly felt they had no other choice but to pull him.

The Kings haven’t fared too much better on offense, either. In the team’s two losses, the club has only managed 5 total goals. Wingers Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield each have four points for the team, respectively, during this playoff series. That hasn’t been enough, and the club needs a lot more firepower if they want to stay in this playoff race.

Changing it up in goal