[GDT] They're back! Flames @ Capitals, 5:00 PM on Sportsnet West

[Phaneufenstein]

Smith is tied for 2nd in the league in assists by goalies.
They want his offensive prowess to shine tonight

[KootenayFlamesFan]

I’m looking forward to a level headed game thread.

Go Flames!

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by RM14

Smith starting is probaly more of a test to see how reliable he can be as a goalie for a playoff run. If he $#!+s the bed in his opportunities over the next 3 weeks, they will have to trade for a competent backup.

It's game #52. The Flames are not learning anything new about Mike Smith, and they are not using this game as some sort of test of his ability to play in the playoffs. Mike Smith is starting this game because he is the backup goalie and the coaches believe he can win. That's it.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Here is the message, and it's from higher up:

"You are an RFA this offseason, with arbitration rights, and we're not going to let you have 60+ GP in a season on your resume if we have the cushion not to, because we need to lowball you come July"...

I am pretty sure that is not the message.

[FlamesFanTrev]

The guys tend to play a little sharper in front of Smith, maybe knowing that they need to bail him out with a sack full of goals. Maybe a move by the coach to make sure the team gets back into game mindset as quick as possible?

[Phaneufenstein]

Originally Posted by FlamesFanTrev

The guys tend to play a little sharper in front of Smith, maybe knowing that they need to bail him out with a sack full of goals. Maybe a move by the coach to make sure the team gets back into game mindset as quick as possible?

I don't mind Smith starting, but I disagree with this.
I think the team plays more tentative in front of Smith.

[AC]

I'm fine with Smith tonight.

He hasn't played since Jan 18th, and may not get a chance to play again until Feb 14th in Florida.

After tonight we play:
@ Carolina
vs San Jose
@ Vancouver
@ Tampa

Which could all be Rittich starts. Need to play Smith whenever possible, and a winless in 7, minus Ovechkin, off the bye week Capitals makes sense to me.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Phaneufenstein

I don't mind Smith starting, but I disagree with this.
I think the team plays more tentative in front of Smith.

I think both suggestions are suspect, and stem from preconceptions about both goalies.

[Gaudfather]

Trust the process.... and Billieve!

[Robbob]

Nothing like standing behind your local hockey heroes and cheering them on.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Here is the message, and it's from higher up:

"You are an RFA this offseason, with arbitration rights, and we're not going to let you have 60+ GP in a season on your resume if we have the cushion not to, because we need to lowball you come July.

Just my opinion, but you’re employing a very active and wayward imagination if you believe Treliving, Maloney or Conroy are sending messages to Peters on who the team should start in goal, tonight.

[Stanley]

Smitty scores an empty-netter tonight

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by CN10

Sports Select Info
Flames Win = 2.2
Shootout = 3.5
Capitals Win = 2.3
Over 6.5 = 1.9
Under 6.5 = 1.55

Weird to see the Flames as road favorites against the Stanley Cup Champions. Likely a great night for the over as well with the rust from the break plus Smith & Holbty's GAA this season.

Flames take it 5-3. Would like to see our third line do a ton of damage tonight and hopefully our deadline acquisition can be the James Neal we paid for this summer (the 25G guy).

Bodog has the Caps as heavy favorites in this one at more than 2:1. I'd be tempted to throw a few bucks on the Flames with those odds if Smith wasn't starting, though I'm sure the odds would look a lot different if Rittch was in net

[JackIsBack]

Originally Posted by AC

@ Vancouver
@ Tampa

Can we get any further? Maybe Vancouver to Miami (Florida Panthers) - I thinks that is the furthest flight between games be in the NHL. I could see starting a trip to Tampa from Calgary - but between road games, it seems a bit crazy.

[Bingo]

Yeah I think this comes down to a less than two full days between games (afternoon game with travel on Sunday) and the team thinking they should split these games. If that's the case I can't really argue in the split with Rittich playing against Carolina.

[Phaneufenstein]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I think both suggestions are suspect, and stem from preconceptions about both goalies.

yeah, well... that's just like your opinion ... man

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Phaneufenstein

yeah, well... that's just like your opinion ... man

True enough.

[dissentowner]

Will be getting the frog up early for this one. GFG.

[TheIronMaiden]

The way I see it is as such:

last year Rittich collapsed after the break because he was not ready to be the guy. Simply put he was over whelmed.

If Mike Smith wins then it takes a little pressure of Rittich, who is well aware of his short coming last season.

If Smith loses sure it puts the pressure back on Rittich, but it is likely the same pressure he would feel if he was given the first start anyways.

From a mental warfare aspect, it is a little to gain, not much to lose.No sense it letting Rittich get peppered by one of the best teams at making goalies look bad.

The name of the game is give Rittich confidence. They live and die by his resiliency.

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

I’m looking forward to a level headed game thread.

Go Flames!

You're so silly