[browna]

I have a feeling if this wasn’t the night it is, it would be Rittich. But because of the very unconventional evening as far as routine, with probably a warm up, then a ceremony, then probably a shorter warmup, I bet Peters goes with Smith.

For all the hand wringing around here with why he started Smith starting post AS break, it’s because he trusts the vet to be in the right frame of mind coming back from the break, given his experience. Same would go here tonight, Smith has likely played in a game or two or three in his career with a pregame ceremony and all the inactivity and breaking of routine that goes with it.

Peters seems to have a very defined mentality around Rittich and ensuring that Rittich is in a situation where his confidence has no choice and no excuse but to remain high. As soon as he sees that confidence dip in games he pulls him, so I don’t think Peters will throw Rittich into uncharted waters.

I predict a clunker of a game overall because of that, and because Minny has never fallen too far from the trap tree no matter who coaches, and they need some points, even if it’s just one, in the playoff race.