The length and duration of this thread speaks volumes.
Bill Peters has to take heat for continuing to force Mike Smith, and giving him way more leverage than deserved over Rittich who has been the one vastly outperforming Smith in net all season long. Only reason has Smith has been okay, which is the bare minimum you want from a NHL goaltender. But he hasn't been good enough to be the primary starter, because he's going to continue to have games like he had last night.
When Smith thinks he's moreso the third defender than a goaltender, it's a problem that's going to bite the Flames in the ass repeatably. When you are relieved Smith made a routine save on a low risk shot, that's a problem. The fact this thread has been ongoing all season long, and has this many posts, and it's spreads to other topics in this forum, indicates that Mike Smith is a problem.
Why does Peters continue to lean more on the goalie who is completely unreliable, and honestly done as a NHL goalie, over a younger and developing goaltender who all season long to this point has been the opposite of Smith? Flames can't continue to outscore their opponents vastly to mask the issues of Smith's stupid goals against. You need a goalie you can trust when the games get much tighter from this point on since it'll be low scoring, tight checking games. How can the players feel confident playing in front of him?
Smith only should play when it's purpose is to rest Rittich if necessary only. Enough of fitting a square peg into a round hole. Smith does more harm than good for the team.
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