Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
Other than maybe the Pittsburgh game, Smtih has gotten exactly the starts I'd expect a backup to play. So I don't see management's lack of faith in Rittich (or an attempt to shore up Smith). Rittich has played really well over the course of the season. Smith hasn't but is betting better. I like that.
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I was doing a bit of an analysis when I lazyily closed by browser the other day and lost my post, but basically since November 25th (which is suddenly the cuttoff point for the season for all the cherry-pickers) Rittich has started against 8 teams who at the time of the game were top ten in goals per game. Smith has started against two, and one of them was Washington at 8th as they sat Alex Ovechkin, currently on pace to win the Rocket again. The other was the Pittsburgh start. Rittich had Tampa x 2, Columbus, San Jose x 2, and a few others I forget. In addition three of Rittich's save percentage busting losses came in 3v3 overtime, a situation that won't happen in the post-season as overtime resembles regulation play there.