[PGT] Mike Smith loses the game with 2 abysmal goals against. Flames lose to Habs 3-2.

[Jore]

smith somehow gives up 3 goals on 1.63 expected goals. the average replacement level goalie would have surrednered 1.63 goals tonight given the quality of the montreal chances.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I can defend why they started him. Played well the game before, they are trying to get him on a roll, and the following game is against the Oilers, and I expect they were going to start Rittich then no matter what (barring a Smith shutout).

I think they now need to consider not gradually transitioning Rittich to starter,
(which I think was the plan) and just go cold turkey

Problem is the good game is the exception and not his normal level of play. What we saw tonight is what Smith is now...a very poor goalie, like the worst in the NHL.

[crapshoot]

It's really tiresome to see the team playing awesome hockey, limiting chances against and pouring it on offensively, then lose the game due to our goalie being absolutely terrible while the guy in the other net put on an all star performance. Several of our losses this year has been just that, and it's sickening. I for one am done with Mike Smith. I don't believe he has it in him to go on a hot streak this season.

And you know what the worst part is? Buddies of mine who are fans of other teams have started to pity me for having to suffer through the trials of Mike Smith! A friend of mine who is a Caps fan told me that Caps fans actually used the phrase "Holtby is playing like Mike Smith" when Holtby was playing terrible.

Treliving have to find a way to solve this, but in the mean time Rittich need to be the starter. There is ample evidence of this by now, and I had enough of jamming square pegs into round holes during the dog days of Gulutzan. Everyone can see the correct course of action here, now Peters need to adjust.

[Duffalufagus]

It is on Peters now. Points going down the drain.

Team needs better finish too. 45 shots but price didn’t look amazing. Need to bury more opportunities.

Of course, none of that matters if you have the worst starting goalie in the league. And, colour me skeptical, but Rittich for 45+ starts gives me no confidence whatsoever.

For the first time since I started paying more principle than interest on my mortgage I love the team from the blueline out. But without goaltending you are chicken feed in the nhl. And that, my friends, is where we are right now.

Just brutal.

[Racki]

The two overriding thoughts on my mind right now.

1) swap goalies and the Flames win 7-0

2) Peters and Treliving cannot look the other 22 guys on that team in the eyes and make the players believe that the management team is supporting them. Every player to a man knows that Mike Smith is killing them right now. He must come out or Peters and Treliving will lose the entire dressing room.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

Mike smith is “as mind boggled as you guys are”

No #### Sherlock


He is mostly trying to admit he sucked post game but still shouldn’t be starting. Too confident for how ####ty he’s been

Just to clarify is that what Smith said? Or what one of the analysts said about him?

[Igottago]

I understand the coaching staff trying to salvage the starting goalie, but its painfully obvious the experimentation cant continue. In fact I think Treliving needs to go goalie shopping ASAP. Even if Rittich can carry the load they need a capable backup. I think Smith is done as a Flame.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Lombardias and Wills reporting that Smith looks crushed in the room. He's answering questions directly and apparently looks like he's on the verge of tears.

They haven't played the clip yet but first reports are that he's owning it.

As Lou puts it:
He knows it. We know it. The hole rink knows that shouldn't have gone in.

Now if only this happened 8 points ago

[tvp2003]

Silver lining is that by pulling an Elliott, there is no more goalie controversy or question who should be the number one.

Only one win in the last four games, and guess who was in net...

[killer_carlson]

Sigalet on 960 now.

Smith knows he cost the win
Smith trying to make 3 saves instead of 1. Trying too hard
Lost puck on the 1st one
3rd goal is a backbreaker

Lou: smith looks like he's not confident

Sigalet: when you're confident you let pucks come to you. When you're not you start punching at it and start making holes for yourself
He' s been really good in practice and working really hard
But he seems to be trying to overcorrect after making a mistake. Starts trying too hard

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by redforever

I'm not feeling very good about Neal either. Throw Ryan in there as well.

It's not a big deal if Ryan doesn't find his game; not going to live or die if he can't produce. He just needs to kill penalties and win faceoffs. Neal needs to show up and we need NHL level goaltending to give us a chance to win games.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Igottago

I understand the coaching staff trying to salvage the starting goalie, but its painfully obvious the experimentation cant continue. In fact I think Treliving needs to go goalie shopping ASAP. Even if Rittich can carry the load they need a capable backup. I think Smith is done as a Flame.

I think before you go shopping, you need to give Rittich the net, to figure out what you need to buy.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Just to clarify is that what Smith said? Or what one of the analysts said about him?

That was smith in his own words

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by timbit

Smith was terrible. 3rd goal was horrible.

That said, tough to win in today’s NHL with a steady diet of <3 goals for per game.

Yep, blame it on the goalie, but at the end of the day, you should be scoring more than 2 goals.

A lot of guys today had troubles finishing. Backlund, Neal, Bennett and Ryan all hit posts, missed wide open nets, or fanned on their shots.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

Mike smith is “as mind boggled as you guys are”

No #### Sherlock


He is mostly trying to admit he sucked post game but still shouldn’t be starting. Too confident for how ####ty he’s been

[old-fart]

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

I hate it but we are gonna have a fun Saturday because smith is starting again...

If Smith starts, the Oilers could score 20, maybe 30. Just shoot from everywhere, if it happens to magically bounce off him, he will kick it directly into the slot as he falls onto his stomach to make a face first snow angel.

Plus he’ll probably go behind the net 5 or 10 times, get caught, and allow a goal or 4 while standing back there looking around aimlessly like a lost puppy.

[Kybb79]

Fire Sigalet asap!

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Lombardias and Wills reporting that Smith looks crushed in the room. He's answering questions directly and apparently looks like he's on the verge of tears.

They haven't played the clip yet but first reports are that he's owning it.

As Lou puts it:
He knows it. We know it. The hole rink knows that shouldn't have gone in.

I honestly feel bad for him, this team has done him little service with playing him like he was a 28 year old last season, to probably rushing him back, to now starting him when it’s clearly evident his time in this league is close to being over. That being said, he gets paid a hefty amount and he’s been just so bad. He’s probably been worse than Hiller was at the end of 2015/2016 and Hiller had ####ing vertigo.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

No, he HAS to see it now. Smith is done. You can see the whole team play tentatively because they know a muffin is coming up at some point. It’s not a coincidence the whole squad plays better when Rittich is in net.

Did you just see Peters post game comments? I have bad news for you as well as the rest of us.

[Yoho]

I love when Smith does his outstretched arm belly flop move when he has not clue where the puck is coming at him.