Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
He's looked just fine in several games. They've been discussed. Tell me what was wrong in his SO of Nashville (43 shots), or the one against Minnie (31 shots). Against Toronto he was fine and his puckhandling was a big part of the win as well.
For clarity, I feel like I have to include a caveat every time I respond to in this thread, as follows: Smith has generally been bad. He's cost points. I'm not generally defending him, denigrating Rittich or suggesting Smith should be the clear starter. I just dislike debate based on fallacies.
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He's rarely square to a shot. When he is he cannot absorb a rebound off of his chest. Plays too deep in his net. Makes easy saves look hard. Flops forward on way too many shots. Way to noisy with his movements. Compare all that to Rittich. That last save by Rittich was textbook. Stayed quiet, tracked the puck and made a save with his body in the right position. Smith may have saved that but it would have been a desperation lunge to do it.
How many here, even at his best which was 2 or 3 games ago can honestly say they watch every shot on Smith and feel total confidence that he will make the save? I don't blame ever goal on him or course not but nearly 40 years of playing, coaching and watching I know how teams react when they are not confident in their netminder. You over think and tend to over play which bodes well neither for the team or the goaltender.
I want Smith to succeed everybody here does. This is a good team, a very good team but they are winning despite some shaky goaltending. We need goaltending to carry us especially in the playoffs and that is not happening right now. I think Smith has put a tonne of pressure on himself this season, 36 with no contract after this it could easily be his last season regardless of how he is playing. He thought he needed to come out and be spectacular in hopes of extending his career and it has backfired. The Flames don't need Smith to be spectacular and steal games. They just need him to make the saves he is supposed to.