[PGT] Poor goaltending does the team in .... AGAIN. Flames lose 6-4 to the Bruins.

[Vansmack]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

He's usually someone who plays at/near the top of the crease, so I suspect it's one of two things:
.

Really? I'm not saying you are wrong but to me it seems like he can't get off the goal line half of the time. Perhaps with bigger equipment he caught a piece of some of these shots.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by shadowlord

Steinberg going off on 2-3 minute rant about Smith on the Fan960 post game show.

Wish I had heard it.

[Nsd1]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1081022596710248448

[SixtySix]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Yes I was, because they were blaming every single goal on Mike Smith. Not every goal was his fault. But certain key ones were, like the 1st one and especially the 5th one. And at the end of the day, his track record combined with those two awful goals are enough to warrant significant managerial action.

I hear this a lot, but I never really see it. I do however see people note that sometimes goalies need to come up with a big save they shouldn't be expected to make, which is something different and a fair point to make. If Smith could play anywhere near NHL-caliber, all of the post-goal criticism would disappear (which is why you don't see it when Rittich lets in a soft one, I know, crazy how that works isn't it), so I'm a little sick of the "stop whining about Smith" narrative. Like it or not, it's too big of an issue for fans to just bite their tongue on, so until the problem is dealt with it's reasonable for people to be upset.

Also, as someone mentioned in the GT, it's kind of funny that a lot of the people who get really bent out of shape over negative Smith comments seem to have no problem throwing shade at Neal. Why the double standard? Both players have been hot garbage and deserve all the criticism and bad will they've accumulated. The only difference is Smith is single-handedly costing the team points.

On the positive side, Gaudreau is nuts. We are so lucky to watch this guy every night.

[bigrangy]

Smith should have been the hero of this game if not for Neal's absolute flub on the 2-0.

That was an insane stretch pass by Smith after he baited the Bruins into changing with the hesitation.

The first goal was bad on Smith, and then soft defense by Kylington/Andersson and Hamonic on goals 2 and 3 cost the team.

Smith made a couple great stops including 2 on Pastrnak (one on the PP and a one timer from right in between the hash marks).

The 5th goal though, woof. That might be one of the worst all year.

Also, the pull for the extra attacker was way too early. The wrong defense pairing was out there and the Flames had been pressing even without having a 6th guy.

Finally, get Neal into the press box. That icing was either the laziest or dumbest play I've ever seen a Flame make. It's incredible gow a guy can just forget how to play hockey like he has.

[gamesaver]

Originally Posted by Kaine

True, but a lot of that could be due to the best defenders for that team being with the Flames. While Gillies is not the answer, could he be much worse short term?

That argument would be really sound, but Nick Schneider has posted over 92% in 11 games behind the very same defence.

Edit: Thats one thing I dislike about this league and goaltending. You can have a guy clearly outplaying someone but he is still overlooked because the other has bigger hype, contract or was drafted higher. It's just so unfair sometimes.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by RedHawk12

Change your expectations on Smith. He looks a lot better when/if you actually see him as a backup.

No he doesn't, because he doesn't look like a NHL backup. At this point he's an AHL backup. That's how bad he is.

[Duffalufagus]

Peters refusing to even acknowledge Smith played poorly.

[Phagoof]

Originally Posted by Nsd1

https://twitter.com/user/status/1081022596710248448

Yeah, when Pat "the apologist" Steinberg calls out something, you know where you're at.

[Breakfast]

Originally Posted by Nsd1

https://twitter.com/user/status/1081022596710248448

Pat gets it. I think it’s hard for PBP guys to call out Smith because they’re talking to the guy every day, and get to know them on a more personal level.

Loubo often talks about Smith like he’s gonna reclaim the net any day now, just needs to get his “confidence” back

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by gamesaver

That argument would be really sound, but Nick Schneider has posted over 92% in 11 games behind the very same defence.

I'd rather bring him up at this point

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Fire

Yes Smith was terrible but way too many of you take the game way too seriously. If you get so upset about a hockey game you should do some self reflection.

I’m pretty sure the “So Upset” is being annoyed until they go to bed. Why watch sports if you don’t get passionate about the outcome ?

[sketchyt]

Originally Posted by Vansmack

Really? I'm not saying you are wrong but to me it seems like he can't get off the goal line half of the time. Perhaps with bigger equipment he caught a piece of some of these shots.

Yeah, I'm saying in previous and more successful years. No one's confusing him Jonathan Quick, but generally he starts near the top of the crease and sinks back as the play gets closer.

This year, more than other years he's starting from the goal line out. And he's not making it out too far lol.

[Caged Great]

This simply cannot continue. Start Gillies if Rittich is not available against Philly and continue with a Rittich Gillies combo until a goalie can be acquired. Send Smith to Stockton and let him start down there to figure things out if he can.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Nsd1

https://twitter.com/user/status/1081022596710248448

speaks volumes...

i think Peters has a lot of respect for Smith, or he's learned his lesson for calling out lack publicly like he did.

but the truth of the matter is that the one thing he called out Lack for was his poor sv%... Smith has got to be near the bottom of the NHL, which is exactly the thing that Lack was called out on...

time to start looking for a capable backup...

[RedHawk12]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Nope you're looking at this all wrong by looking at the full season. Mike Smith is actively getting worse as the season goes on. He was a goalie that needs to play often to stay in game shape.

He's a starter or he's finished at this age. It was clear as day that as much as he was already regressing as a starter - that he took an even bigger step back by sitting on the bench between starts.

This is simply wrong. Its making up facts to fit a narrative. Smith started the season terribly. He then started splitting games with Rittich and worked hard on his game in practice. Then he got better and won us 6 games in a row. He's since dropped off a little, but has played somewhat decent up until this game.

People just need to stop looking at him as a starter.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

Smith should have been the hero of this game if not for Neal's absolute flub on the 2-0.

That was an insane stretch pass by Smith after he baited the Bruins into changing with the hesitation.

The first goal was bad on Smith, and then soft defense by Kylington/Andersson and Hamonic on goals 2 and 3 cost the team.

Smith made a couple great stops including 2 on Pastrnak (one on the PP and a one timer from right in between the hash marks).

The 5th goal though, woof. That might be one of the worst all year.

Also, the pull for the extra attacker was way too early. The wrong defense pairing was out there and the Flames had been pressing even without having a 6th guy.

Finally, get Neal into the press box. That icing was either the laziest or dumbest play I've ever seen a Flame make. It's incredible gow a guy can just forget how to play hockey like he has.

I’m sorry but even if Neal scores on that 2-0 smith still sucked tonight and wouldn’t be “the hero” they win in spite of smith this year, not because of him, except for 2 maybe 3 games. Which to me puts smith on balance at winning us single handed lay about 5 points and losing us about 12 putting him at -7 for points he’s responsible for.

Too bad for him but I don’t think he should be on the team, would like to see him traded.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Nsd1

https://twitter.com/user/status/1081022596710248448

Wow. You know when nice guy Pat is calling for Smith to be replaced that things are bad.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by RedHawk12

This is simply wrong. Its making up facts to fit a narrative. Smith started the season terribly. He then started splitting games with Rittich and worked hard on his game in practice. Then he got better and won us 6 games in a row. He's since dropped off a little, but has played somewhat decent up until this game.

People just need to stop looking at him as a starter.

I get your point and agree a bit but even if he’s your backup you can’t be comfortable with your backup letting in more than 3 goals per game. Otherwise you are just taking auto losses

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Last time I checked, there is half a season left. They aren’t going to throw in a towel and help a rival.

Well regardless of season left, there is no scenario that team will be compwting with the Flames for a spot.

Now they may very well not want to help the Flames, particularly if Lowe is calling the shots again, but i think there is a deal to be made if they wish.

It's rare but it has happened.

I still think that BT likely has a couple offers he is sitting on from whomever (Flyers is my guess for Lyon) but simply doesn't like the acquisition cost. Tonight probably forces him to revisit things.

Something has to give though, BT is patient but he isn't dumb.