Quote:
Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden
Up to this point in the season Peters has managed the goal tending situation well. I am confident that when he makes a choice it is the right one. At this point I don't think he has full confidence in either player and he will likely have to manage the playoffs on a game by game basis the same way he has managed this tandem all year.
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I think that once the playoffs start they have to give the ball to one guy and let him run with it. If he falters, the other guy gets his chance and then either succeeds or fails. That has essentially been the history of playoff goaltending for the last couple decades; I think it repeats itself in April.
At this point, I am not especially confident in either of the Flames goalies, and think that the margin separating them is small enough that it won't particularly matter who is in goal in Game #1. I find myself feeling a little more confident with Rittich in goal now, but not much more than when Smith plays.
I think the Flames can and will win their first round matchup with either goalie. But one of them needs to make a strong statement for the team to move beyond Round #2.