Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
Absolutely.
My gut says two things.
1) Goalie was starving to play in front of big crowds and teams that give a rip and pressed
2) Team took too many chances on home ice and his high danger chances were up.
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IMO, it was primarily this. I felt all year that the Flames played a different style at home vs the road. On the road, they played much more of a north-south game, and were responsible to their defensive assignments.
At home, there was a lot more of a show being put on. Lots more passing, and lots more pressing the offense. It seemed to result in more turnovers and more odd-man rushes against.
Having said all that, it did seem like Smith was more prone to the one soft goal at home than he was on the road, especially early in the game. Is that form putting pressure on himself?