The Flames scored 4 goals against the best team in the NHL and throroughly outplayed them. Mike Smith let in 6 goals and I'd say 5 of them were unbelievably awful. He blew it tonight, that's pretty much all there is to say.
I am by no means a Gulutzan fan, but to say we lost this game because he didn't call a timeout or pull Smith earlier is absurd. Rittich let in an absolute stinker as well, he didn't exactly come in and play lights out. It's easy and often correct to rag on the coaches, but tonight is not the right night for that. Mike Smith cost his team the game tonight. That's pretty much it.
Now, having said that, I loved the emotion Smith showed after he was pulled. Dude is a competitor. I'd bet my entire savings that he comes back and has a great game Saturday.
They're showing signs that they're about to break out of this slump. It was a good night in the OOT too. No need to panic quite yet.
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