[PGT] Predators def. Flames, 5-3

[FBI]

Back home tonight to donate $20 to CP, go Bennett!

[DomeFoam]

If you watch it again Smith challenged Rinaldo's goal at the top of his crease - there really wasn't much to shoot at. Rinaldo placed the shot over the blocker and a few inches to the right of the left post. It really was a perfect shot - forget who shot it. He is in the NHL after all.

I also liked how Andersson played that by taking the second man, contrary to what someone else said. Give Smith the opportunity to stop Zac Rinaldo streaking in on the side I think you're gonna win that battle more times than not.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by DomeFoam

If you watch it again Smith challenged Rinaldo's goal at the top of his crease - there really wasn't much to shoot at. Rinaldo placed the shot over the blocker and a few inches to the right of the left post. It really was a perfect shot - forget who shot it. He is in the NHL after all.
.

Smith was out of position, he definitely miss played the shot.

However it was a really good shot.

The Flames need to be better as a team.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I am disappointed more about not being able to capitalize when we were able to. There were multiple opportunities to go ahead in the third but instead had to play catch up.

I wouldn’t put the whole blame on Smith, but he certainly needs to play better.

Keep in mind Nashville is the top team in the league and we made them work hard for that win. We weren’t going to go 80-2, so learn from this and move on. Nashville has been on fire.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I'm still a Brodie skeptic. When he makes mistakes they always seem to end up in the Flames net. He's been responsible for at least four goals this season. I realize he's a good skater and is very good at times back with Gio but man when he has a breakdown it's nearly always costly.

His puckhandling can be awfully sloppy in low pressure situations. When ever a defenseman loses the puck in a low pressure situation, it's an immediate high danger situation, because there's usually no one around to cover and the goalie isn't expecting it.

It's an unusual weakness for a pro player.

[Gaskal]

I am mad about losing, but then again we are still 2nd in the Pacific.

[scotty2hotty]

I hate losing - but we’re not going to win them all. That was just a typical hockey loss. They happen some times. Nothing to worry too much about.

Disappointing - but on to the next one!

[H2SO4(aq)]

I hate to start this so early in the year but the flames are possibly undefeated with a real goaltender. If I’m treliving I start looking at options. This team is 4-3 despite smith. I like him as a guy but man he ain’t gettin it done.

[ComixZone]

You can say the Flames need a better goalie without “blaming” Smith for this loss or that loss.

It’s a competitive league. Last night two good teams went toe to toe, and one goalie made some saves that you couldn’t blame him for missing if he had done so, but he didn’t miss them and his team won. That’s all it takes when two good teams are battling - timely saves.

Smith isn’t a top 15 goalie in this league, and to expect the Flames to be a top 15 team in this league with a sub-top 15 goalie poses a challenge. You shouldn’t have to overcome an average/just below average goalie. You should be aiming for better than that - so hopefully Treliving is looking to improve the position.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Also, the real deal dropped about 3 audible f bombs last night lol

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by Itse

His puckhandling can be awfully sloppy in low pressure situations. When ever a defenseman loses the puck in a low pressure situation, it's an immediate high danger situation, because there's usually no one around to cover and the goalie isn't expecting it.

It's an unusual weakness for a pro player.

I think his defensive IQ has taken a step back. He wanders out of position and opts to take low effort swipes at the puck nowadays.

His defensive game used to be an efficient one where he'd use his skating to angle himself in between the puck and the offensive player. It was smart and effective for a player of his skill and size. That part of his defensive game has left in favour of one where he tries to poke and stickhandle.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

You can say the Flames need a better goalie without “blaming” Smith for this loss or that loss.

It’s a competitive league. Last night two good teams went toe to toe, and one goalie made some saves that you couldn’t blame him for missing if he had done so, but he didn’t miss them and his team won. That’s all it takes when two good teams are battling - timely saves.

Smith isn’t a top 15 goalie in this league, and to expect the Flames to be a top 15 team in this league with a sub-top 15 goalie poses a challenge. You shouldn’t have to overcome an average/just below average goalie. You should be aiming for better than that - so hopefully Treliving is looking to improve the position.

In a weird way you made the exact argument you’re arguing against. They got saves and we didn’t. We need saves. Yes I’m blaming the goalie

[soulchoice]

We definitely can't win them all. However Smith is definitely a concern for this year. Especially how he has been less than average since his return from injury.

Fact is even within our own Western Conference, the only teams whom have a worse number 1 goalie would be the Canucks (Maarkstrom) and possibly the Blues (Allen). One could argue Bishop in Dallas is comparable but at least he is younger than Smith.

League wide Smith is not a top 20 goalie. He is in the between top 25 to 28th ranking IMO as far as a number one goalie.

[Flash Walken]

For me, the issue is this is a position that needs to be addressed by next season anyway, so do you think subpar results again this year after spending so much in the off season is worth getting a goalie in free agency instead of by trade?

Not only does the question of a starter need answering next year no matter what, but it might need addressing before Christmas.

It will be a crying shame if the team that is so vastly improved is sewered by goaltending.

Break the bank and make a trade for a #1.

[taxbuster]

Thought the game was entertaining, but the Flames seemed a step behind almost the entire night. They got beaten a LOT to the puck, so have only themselves to blame.

Brodie had a crappy night, so did Neal. Valimaki is progressing really well and Andersson seems steady. Decent game with a poor result, but growth for the kids.


Not overly disappointed. Cruddy start - but that was from being a step behind. Flames HAD to know that Nashville was going to come out gangbusters after being embarrassed at home. They didn't respond.

[heep223]

Thought Bennett had a great game.

Though he missed a tap in on a wide open net to tie the game in the third.

[activeStick]

Bennett is getting more confident which is great to see. Brodie on the other hand, looks better than last year thanks to having Giordano with him but he still isn't a top 2 guy without the captain.

[tvp2003]

Not sure where Smith was supposed to be positioned — maybe he could have challenged a bit more but he was also playing a two-on-one with both players on their off-wings. It was also a very well placed shot — it’s not like Smith is a small goalie. I don’t care who the player is — if you shoot from that spot and hit the corner, there isn’t a goalie in the NHL that’s going to stop that on their stick side.

PS Rinaldo had five goals last year, ie more than Stajan and more than Hathaway (in fewer games as well). You can hate the player but that doesn’t mean he can’t pick a corner — it’s the NHL.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I’m 2 of the 3 hours me games this year I’ve heard the Dome sarcastically cheer Mike Smoth making a save.

Based on this, I'm guessing you're feeling a bit rough this morning

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Not sure where Smith was supposed to be positioned — maybe he could have challenged a bit more but he was also playing a two-on-one with both players on their off-wings. It was also a very well placed shot — it’s not like Smith is a small goalie. I don’t care who the player is — if you shoot from that spot and hit the corner, there isn’t a goalie in the NHL that’s going to stop that on their stick side.

PS Rinaldo had five goals last year, ie more than Stajan and more than Hathaway (in fewer games as well). You can hate the player but that doesn’t mean he can’t pick a corner — it’s the NHL.

also to note 5 more goals than any poster on this forum probably. It's easy to dog on players as being "no good" when they can do things we only dream of being able to do.