Quote:
Originally Posted by sureLoss
Calgary Flames @NHLFlames
Coach Bill Peters confirms Mike Smith will start in goal tonight. Dillon Dube will be a game-time decision. Mark Jankowski will warm up and be ready if Dube can’t go. #CGYvsSTL
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I'm worried we're heading down the same path as last year. Smith plays well early so we keep riding him while he's hot (which some posters already pointed out his brutal post-SO stats)...and before you know it, he's on pace to play 70 games at the end of November.
Smith is one of the oldest starting goalies in the league and he's very injury prone and IMO, we should be planning to start him 55-60 games max. It's important to get Rittich/Gillies in every 3rd or 4th game early in the season, while the games have less pressure. As the season progresses, the temptation to stick with Smith will only increase as the playoff battles pick up.