Quote:
Originally Posted by Kasi
Have you seen Jones play this year? I don’t think Smith is much different from him. I think there is a bit too much armchair psychology with how posters view Smiths mental state. However I do agree Rittich is lower variation and with a team this good it might be more valuable to have a goalie who doesn’t lose games more than a goalie who steals games. And obviously Rittich has more of a future with this team so I’m hoping he seizes the starting job again. But until he actually outplays him again over a long stretch they’re likely going to keep splitting it 50/50.
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Agreed.
I posted the numbers above of how they compare since Jan.1...which apparently one is not allowed to do because its arbitrary. Rittich has had chances to seize the net and simply hasn't done so.
If you look post all-star break after a getaway and a re-set, the numbers are even more eye popping and the whole "strength of opponent" really doesnt come into play at all.
Since Feb 1.
Rittich has started 6 games going 3-1-1 (and getting pulled once against SJ)
He was .884 save% and 3.02 GAA
He played against
Carolina,
San Jose, Vancouver,
TB, Ottawa and NJ 3 playoff teams.
Smith has started 8 times going 5-3-1 (and taking the SJ loss)
He was '911 save% and a 2.61 GAA
He played
Washington,
SJ, Florida
Pitt. AZ,
NYI x2, Anaheim and
Minny. 6 playoff teams.
Bolded are all playoff teams at this moment.
Those are just the cold hard numbers of the two guys since the break.