[GT] Flames vs Red Wings

[AC]

Flames gifted Detroit 2 goals unfortunately, while Tkachuk and Monahan both found ways to hit Howard in the chest close in, while Lindholm also missed a glorious chance early.

[dissentowner]

Might have to wake the damn frog up if he does not get up on his own by the start of the second

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Hopefully that's the worst period we see tonight. Lots of passengers, not enough skating and just overall passive play everywhere. I don't think Peters will be too pleased. Can't just show up and get 2 points, you need to work for them.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Split98

You're not watching then.

Smith has played just fine so far tonight

Yes he’s been fine. He hasn’t let in a goal from the corner or blue line yet.

He also hasn’t made any hard saves

And if that’s what he can give us for the rest of the year we will not win a lot of games

[JT96912]

Maybe blender the 3rd and 4th lines? Could be a spark maybe? First and second lines have had some good chances and will eventually bury a couple but bottom six has got to step up on D.

[axgq]

Originally Posted by JayP

Poor defense no doubt but Smith played that about as poorly as possible. Playing too deep in his net and committed way too early.There was no reason to go down before the toe drag. Helm really just shoveled the puck into the centre of he net.

Rittich makes that save fairly easily.

Rittich couldn't stop Alex Chiasson sliding it in.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Defense has been bad but imo rittich stops both of those. The first he has his pad on the ice because he can actually play net, the second he keeps his pad back because hes actually flexible

Posts like these are why people feel like they have to defend Smith

[dino7c]

Chances were pretty even...their guy made some big saves

Flames can play much better but its not like they are getting outplayed. Flames have had multiple point blank chances

2nd goal is a fluke bounce

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Beninho

Mike smith

[Jeff Lebowski]

CGY not getting quality chances so far. DET just hungrier team. If CGY wants back in the game they need to start winning some battles.

DET deserves credit, they came to play.

[ikaris]

While I’ve generally not been a fan of Smith this season this first period is a result of our first line being mostly invisible and terrible defensive breakdowns.

As mentioned in the thread, the team needs to WTFU.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Non sense ? It’s unprovable for sure, but neither were great goals

Neither was a bad goal.

Most goalies stop the pass in the 2nd goal and it never happens. Smith was in his net and watched it cause he’s playing terrified/uncomfortable

What "pass"? Smith caught a piece of the shot which deflected and bounced off of another Red Wings player who was inexplicably free at the side of the net, and the puck entered the goal.

The 1st goal is one good goalies stop half the time

And then allow the goal the other half of the time.

[transplant99]

[Beninho]

An NHL starter makes a save on at least one of those. Smith is an aging backup so I guess you can’t blame him on either.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Defensively the Flames have not been good for a few games now. I thought they were far too loose in their own end on New Year's Eve.

I don't fully agree. They weren't stifling but I thought they were fine at handling the San Jose pushes. Rittich let in a couple so so ones likely due to playing with a tweaked leg.

Tonight they look discombobulated. Tons of game left though and this could make a 180 easily.

[Jason14h]

Man look at these goalies in the highlights stopping hard shots. It’s almost like they don’t go in 100% of the time !

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Beninho

An NHL starter makes a save on at least one of those. Smith is an aging backup so I guess you can’t blame him on either.

Again posts like this are why people defend Smith
Just unreasonable and unfair

[-TC-]

Smith isn’t helping them, but he isn’t really hurting them either...ok, maybe mentally if the team plays different in front of him.

The issue, IMHO, is Detroit is playing heavy and winning puck battles. They are clogging up passing lanes and slowing the Flames down...they are playing a road game.

The question for me is - can they sustain? The Flames are a tough out, so I expect them to be sharper to start the 2nd.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Chances were pretty even...their guy made some big saves

Flames can play much better but its not like they are getting outplayed. Flames have had multiple point blank chances

2nd goal is a fluke bounce

But against a team like the Red Wings the Flames should not be playing even. They should be dominating this game. Hopefully they come around and play up to their potential the next two periods, because they most certainly do not look as good as they can play.

[zamler]

Rittich comes out to break up the play on the 2nd goal IMO.