When Smith goes out to play the puck, it forces the D to stay on the walls as he is rarely coming out to just drop it off. I have to think a D man feels more comfortable coming back and picking up a stopped puck behind their net and either
A) continuing their momentum and turning it up ice quickly
or
B) using the net as an obstacle and allowing everyone to get into position for the breakout.
When Smith plays it and dishes it to someone on the wall, they are usually faced with immediate pressure and a big reason I believe our first passes are awful, the start of the breakout often dies, etc. Smiths puck playing could be a HUGE asset but it starts with the coaches game plan and if the plan is the same as what it would be with Riddich in net, the team is being let down.
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