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

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I see your point, and obviously a goaltenders performance does not happen in a vacuum. The Flames were terrible, and completely fell apart, that was in no way Rittichs fault. I don't think that anyone pushing the narrative that Rittich is to blame for losing last year in February. All the same, results are that in 9 games last February he had a .873 Sv% and a 4.05 GAA. Sure lots of that was his teams fault, the Flames sucked last February. All the same, those numbers are awful.

Is it coincidental that he put of bad numbers at the same time that he was given the reigns? Who knows for sure, my assumption is that he did not step up to the challenge, ( forget where but there was an article written about the change in his personality during this period). What we do know is that if that happens again you can put a fork in the Flames championship hopes. So I return to my point ( which is purely speculation) that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Edit found the article in question: https://theathletic.com/658758/2018/...lames-starter/

The way Rittich has played this year with more games as the defacto starter since that article was written than he got as the starter last year, it is clear that he is handling it better, and I cannot see why you think Rittich is going to falter just because he did last year. Thats like saying well, at this point last year mike smith played poorly so we should expect him to get even worse from here on out??

[LWcrowfoot]

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".

If power plays weren't so sensitive to player confidence and chemistry, we would probably be seeing Tkachuk experimented with on PP2 as well, but I don't think they want to risk that blowing up in their face.

Originally Posted by timbit

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.

Thank you, timbit.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

The way Rittich has played this year with more games as the defacto starter since that article was written than he got as the starter last year, it is clear that he is handling it better, and I cannot see why you think Rittich is going to falter just because he did last year. Thats like saying well, at this point last year mike smith played poorly so we should expect him to get even worse from here on out??

Where did I say I thought he was going to falter. In fact, where did I say what I thought Peters should do. The post you quoted was debating where or not Rittich Faltered last year . I thought he did, GranteedEV swears he didn't.

The context of that argument was that I was playing Dr.TheIronmaiden psychologist supreme and was trying to rationalize why Peters made the choice to play Mike Smith. My idea is purely speculation, and it likely exists within a constellation of reasons. But what the hell its friday, and I feel like shootin the breeze.

[CsInMyBlood]

So happy Flames hockey is back! Love that he has the 3M intact.

This could be a great move by Peters if Mike Smith responds the way he hopes he does. Or adds fuel to the backup goalie fire.

Lets go Smitty! Show us you still have gas in that tank. Time to shine against the Stanley Cup Champions.

[FBI]

Showcasing Mike Smith for the trade deadline!!

[Split98]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I don't understand the logic of starting your backup after a long break. Rittich will never be more rested than he is now and will likely need rest down the stretch.

I also don't buy the logic that you need to see what you have in Smith. That is as true, and even more so for Rittich.

But Peters has shown he sure knows what he's doing.

With a perfect storm of this schedule, Washington's recent track record, no Ovi and a score to uphold with Carolina... some could make the case that the game after the break against the Cup Champs is the only backup game until Feb 14.

Unfortunately, that backup is Smith. A good start tonight will give reason to re-calibrate going forward - but if we're going to see a few goofs again tonight the 'stumble coming off the break' narrative will involve his name quite a bit.

This will also be the first decent team Smith has seen since he lost 6-4 against Boston January 3rd as well (.808 on 26 shots). Fingers crossed he's reset and can handle tonight, but it's a gamble I wish we could be avoiding

[Benched]

Take the over!

[bax]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I don't understand the logic of starting your backup after a long break. Rittich will never be more rested than he is now and will likely need rest down the stretch.

I also don't buy the logic that you need to see what you have in Smith. That is as true, and even more so for Rittich.

But Peters has shown he sure knows what he's doing.

Both goalies need to play. You will need Smith down the stretch so it's a good idea to give him a game otherwise he is likely going more than a month without any action. You have to keep both guys fresh.

[transplant99]

Pinder speculating that Rittich is dealing with an injury sustained before the break.

Of course he gets apoplectic about Smith playing at any point, so his reasoning is dubious at best.

[ASP#26525]

Wooooot, hockey's back! Felt like forever!

I hope Smith has a great night.

GFG!

[transplant99]

Smith/backup will play about 12 games from now to the end barring injury.

Tonight makes sense when you step back and think about it actually, just the fact they are coming off a long break makes it seem like something more.

[puckedoff]

I hope Smith plays tonight and the next 5 straight games as well

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by SmoggyFlamesFan

Keanu, my fiancee, and I are all celebrating my 27th birthday tomorrow. In honour of that, the prediction is a 7-2 flames win!

I roll over into 35 at the stroke of midnight, but we're sticking with the 7-2 prediction.

[ASP#26525]

Originally Posted by SmoggyFlamesFan

Keanu, my fiancee, and I are all celebrating my 27th birthday tomorrow. In honour of that, the prediction is a 7-2 flames win!

Originally Posted by Yamer

I roll over into 35 at the stroke of midnight, but we're sticking with the 7-2 prediction.

Happy Arbitrary Revolutions Around the Sun Day, guys! GFG!

[Monahammer]

Anyone want to make a friendly wager? I say Smith gets scored on within the first 5 shots he faces.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Anyone want to make a friendly wager? I say Smith gets scored on within the first 5 shots he faces.

no thanks, I like money

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

So happy Flames hockey is back! Love that he has the 3M intact.

Absolutely. Matthew Tkachuk, Mikael Backlund, and Michael Kelso's brother.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by bax

Both goalies need to play. You will need Smith down the stretch so it's a good idea to give him a game otherwise he is likely going more than a month without any action. You have to keep both guys fresh.

But this is exactly why the move is a bit of a head-scratcher.
After so many days off, Rittich is more than fresh. The Flames play Carolina on Sunday and Vancouver on the following Saturday. I would have thought that Smith would start one of those games.

Why would Smith go more than a month without any action? That part of your post doesn't make any sense to me. There's plenty of other games on the schedule that Smith could start. Lots of games that aren't after 8-9 day breaks.

[Monahammer]

It makes little sense because the move is to service Mike smiths fragile ego.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

It makes little sense because the move is to service Mike smiths fragile ego.

Yeah, that's what it is. Peters is doing this solely to placate Smith and improve his demeanor.