[SuperMatt18]

Lots have been made about the Flames goaltending over this season, but I think that one aspect hasn't been getting enough attention: our goalies poor play on the Saddledome ice compared to their play on the road.

We are now in the second straight season where Rittich and Smith are both much better away from the Saddledome.

Going back to the start of the 2017-2018 season here are the home/road splits for Smith/Rittich.

Rittich
Home - GP: 21 SV%: 0.878 HDSV%: 0.782 AdjSv%: -1.86
Road - GP: 36 SV%: 0.924 HDSV%: 0.854 AdjSv%: 1.05

Smith
Home - GP: 53 SV%: 0.895 HDSV%: 0.775 AdjSv%: -0.59
Road - GP: 36 SV%: 0.926 HDSV5: 0.864 AdjSV%: 1.35

And from the team perspective it doesn't feel like we are giving up more quality on home ice than we do on the road - considering we give up fewer shot attempts, shots, and high danger chances at home than we do on the road. Yet somehow we have the 2nd best save percentage in the league on the road, and the worst home save percentage in the league.

Home
Record: 37-26-9
Corsi For %: 55.1%
Corsi Against Per 60: 52.3
Shots Against Per 60: 28.1
HD Corsi Against Per 60: 10.3
SV%: .888 (Last in the NHL)
Expected GA/60: 2.76 per 60

Away
Record: 41-26-8
Corsi For %: 51.3%
Corsi Against Per 60: 57.2
Shots Against Per 60: 31.4
HD Corsi Against Per 60: 11.5
SV%: .917 (2nd in the NHL)
Expected GA/60: 2.96 per 60

It really is an interesting, and very confusing case. Both goalies have played at least 20 games in each situation and yet the trend continues.

Are our goalies struggling to track the puck in the Saddledome? Is it a mental scenario where they are struggling with the pressure on home ice? Could it be the team in front of them plays a tighter game on the road and is more loose on home ice?

So what are your thoughts - why are the Flames goalies so much worse at home than on the road?

Because personally I'm not sure I've ever seen something like this and can't figure out the reason why.