Quote:
Originally Posted by The Fonz
Since his return from injury last season on March 11th, Smith's numbers are:
13-14-1
3.05 GAA
.886 SV%
To be critical of those numbers, especially relative to Rittich's and the team's overall performance this season, does not make anyone a hater.
He's been awful since that injury.
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While this is true, the bottom line is that Rittich should not play many more than 50 games this regular season. Right now, Rittich has payed 23 games. There are 42 games left, we should not be surprised that Mike Smith is going to play
at least 10 of those. Riding a young goalie like a rented mule is not the recipe for sustainable success. Smith is what he is, but the alternative to Smith playing a few now and then is not acceptable.