Quote:
Originally Posted by krynski
Neal I absolutely agree with. I've seen a sack of potatoes skate faster than he did.
As for Smith, not so sure about that? I looked at some post-game comments from Smith, and I think you're right that he was calling out his teammates and in some cases even after a big win.
Perhaps that's Smith being a leader and trying to encourage some growth?
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But, how is deflecting your own absolute dumpster-fire incompetence leadership? Especially from a goalie? Nah, the accountability has to start right there.
Think about Big Save Dave, the team gave up I think 3 breakaways in 4 periods , and Rittich, when asked about that says "Oh, yeah, well that's why I am in the pipes." Totally different approach.
Nothing wrong with saying "Sorry guys, I shoulda had that." Nothing wrong with saying "Hey I blew that but I'll be on it from now on." And in a sense, in last year's playoffs, Smith physically did this - he showed up huge in that first game. But mentally, when you know your goalie is shaken, and you have the feeling that any puck could wibble on by him, and his take is "Man, you guys gotta tighten up." Boy, that would piss me off as a defender.