David Rittich put on a solid performance on Saturday, saving 30 of 32 shots during a tightly contested 3-2 shootout loss against the Buffalo Sabres. Despite conceding two goals early in the game, Rittich bounced back effectively, shutting down the Sabres for the remainder of regulation and pushing the game into a shootout, where the Isles eventually fell 2-1.
At 33 years old, Rittich is demonstrating his value as one of the league’s prominent backup goaltenders. His current season statistics reveal a commendable record of 7 wins, 3 losses, and 2 overtime losses, alongside a 2.53 goals-against average (GAA) and a .908 save percentage across 12 appearances. Notably, Rittich ranks within the top 20 among goaltenders with at least ten appearances this season, highlighting his effectiveness and consistency.
Rittich’s performance has been particularly strong, as he has not surrendered more than three goals in a single game since November 7. While Ilya Sorokin remains the primary goaltender for the Islanders moving forward, Rittich’s skillset makes him a valuable asset. Fantasy players can consider him a reliable option for spot starts in most two-goalie formats whenever he gets the nod. Rittich’s ongoing excellence may provide crucial support for the team as they look to solidify their standing this season.