[browna]

Odd crowd last night too. Fans in the Dome are usually pretty with it, but last night, likely given the ceremony and anticipation and the prices paid for tickets, and whatever that entitlement or level of hockey knowledge brings, it seemed a bit “dumber” than usual.

More then a few plays or whistles or Flames non calls thst got boos out of ignorance or not really paying attention, so it really didn’t suprise me that Smith got jeered.

I’ll say this, he helps his team with his puck movements 10x more than the mistakes or bobbles he makes. The mistakes get amplified, and his subtle or bold or just normal movements of the puck to assist the Flames get out of the zone, are totally taken for granted.

The lack of extra wear and tear on defenders, who don’t have to take the hit in the corner or along the side wall when they have to chase down dump ins with their back to the forecheckers, never mind the risk of them losing the puck, isn’t calculated in some of the analysis. The fact that the forwards too, can get that extra time to get into position or find the space in the neutral zone for the breakout pass from the defenders who get it from Smith, and not have to be coming so far back into their zone, to be able to cover the defenseman potentially coughing up the puck, it allows faster transition into the opponent zone.

These things then have the other team playing defense and worrying about defending breakout more then worrying about forechecking, and over the course of shift after shift and period after period, the back off even further and have to change their strategy.

His puck movement and skill is a significant part of the Flames defensive scheme, practiced daily, and it’s worked to the Flames benefit in getting up the ice with speed and effectiveness a lot more times than it’s caused situations against us like last night. The more efficient and quicker zone entires and chances on the rush are a big reason for this team being in the position where they are.