Rittich will start Game 1 in goal for Predators against Avs

DENVER (AP) — Goaltender David Rittich will start Game 1 for the Nashville Predators with starter Juuse Saros sidelined by a lower-body injury.

Coach John Hynes announced the decision hours before the first-round series opener against the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche.

This will be the second career playoff appearance for Rittich, who entered in relief for Calgary during Game 6 of a first-round series against Dallas in 2020. The 29-year-old Rittich got the start over Connor Ingram, who’s appeared in just three NHL games.

Net worth: Kuemper lead top-seeded Avs, Saros out 2 games

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado and Nashville first-round series features two of the best defensemen in the league in Cale Makar and Roman Josi.

But it boils down to what it typically does with goaltending.

For the Avalanche, there’s Darcy Kuemper. He won a career-best 37 games after being acquired over the summer from Arizona.

The Predators will be without Juuse Saros for the opening two games due to a leg injury. It's a big blow after he won 38 games this season.

Game 1 is Tuesday night in Denver.

Who? Fates of some NHL teams in hands of role players

The fates of some NHL playoff teams will be in the hands of players light on postseason experience.

In Pittsburgh, goaltender Casey DeSmith will make the first NHL playoff start of his career when the Penguins open their series against the New York Rangers. DeSmith is filling in for injured All-Star goaltender Tristan Jarry.

DeSmith says he is going to treat the playoffs like any other game, saying mental mistakes pop up when a player puts too much emphasis on the stakes.

There are goaltending questions in places like Washington and Nashville too as the postseason gets underway.