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

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by 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.

They mentioned on the Fan that the flames play 31 games in 62 days starting today. You are right that Smith will be getting a bunch of games down the stretch as there is no need to burn Rittich out.

[bax]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

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.

Mike Smith's last start was January 18th. It's already been 2 weeks since he has had any action. With the Flames playing an afternoon game on Sunday this is the closest thing they have to a back to back until January 27. It's not out of the question that Mike Smith might not get an opportunity to start again until then.

It has nothing to do with how fresh Rittich is right now. I don't think it really makes a difference who starts against Carolina or Washington. I would imagine it has always been the plan that they would each get a game.

Carolina is 6-3-1 in their last 10 (Rittich just had a great performance against them) and the Caps are 3-5-2 in their last 10 (Smith has a .947 SV% in his last 5 against Washigton and they are missing their best player)

[jayswin]

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?

What? If by sharper you mean more tentative, while collapsing back then yes.

[BigBrodieFan]

My entire weekend is planned around the games... and I am not even ashamed to say it Go Flames Go!

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by RM14

Why would a back-up start after 10 days off?

Because the next two games are practically back-to-back and the coaches feel better about one or both goalies playing against one team than the other. In this case, they either feel better about Smith v. Washington, or better about Rittich v. Carolina, or both.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I'm really sick of reading this narrative...

I am getting sick of the narratives being driven for both goalies in several directions. This requires no apology:

· Smith has had a bad year, but is not so terrible that he can no longer play.
· Rittich DID obviously struggle last year when Smith was injured, but has been excellent for most of this season.
· Both goalies have been much better on the road than at home.
· With Rittich's inexperience, the uncertainty surrounding his ability to handle increased pressure, and Smith's age and poor performance to date there are legitimate concerns about goaltending heading into the playoffs.
· The Flames don't have much recourse but to do their best to manage both, and to hope that Rittich can do the job.

It's okay to recognize that both of the Flames two goalies are not without their own shortcomings; both have questions to answer over the course of the next few months.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by FlamesFanTrev

I don't know about that. It seems to me that the guys have stolen games back for Smith far more often then he has stolen a game for them. I would say that Rittich has stolen more games for the boys then Smith has. This is based strictly on my eye test so far this year, would love to know if anything supports or disproves that...

The quality of Rittich's competition is consistently higher than Smith's. I suspect this plays a role in what you believe you are seeing. As far as I know, there is no measure for how "hard" players play in one game vs. another, nor for "sharpness."

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

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.

Steve Harris has spoken. It's like hearing from God.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by ASP#26525

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

Every day is Arbitrary Revolutions Around the Sun Day. Congratulations to us all!

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Steve Harris has spoken. It's like hearing from God.

[Vinsta13]

Anyone know of a bar in Toronto that would have the game? I’m in downtown Toronto and would love to catch it. Of course the maple leaf game is on half hour later..

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Vinsta13

Anyone know of a bar in Toronto that would have the game? I’m in downtown Toronto and would love to catch it. Of course the maple leaf game is on half hour later..

I was looking for the same thing in Ottawa/Gatineau, being a Friday night and all, but I'm not having much luck. Might be an Uber Eats Friday.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I am getting sick of the narratives being driven for both goalies in several directions. This requires no apology:

· Smith has had a bad year, but is not so terrible that he can no longer play.
· Rittich DID obviously struggle last year when Smith was injured, but has been excellent for most of this season.
· Both goalies have been much better on the road than at home.
· With Rittich's inexperience, the uncertainty surrounding his ability to handle increased pressure, and Smith's age and poor performance to date there are legitimate concerns about goaltending heading into the playoffs.
· The Flames don't have much recourse but to do their best to manage both, and to hope that Rittich can do the job.

It's okay to recognize that both of the Flames two goalies are not without their own shortcomings; both have questions to answer over the course of the next few months.

He is no good and should not play another game for the Calgary Flames. He has been an utter disaster this season and fans have every right to call him out for his poor play.

You can't possible say that you don't cringe every time there is a shot against Smith (or am I the only one?). From the blue-line, center ice, floater... I get worried every time which is not the case for Rittich when I watch him.

As I said, I don't mind the back-up playing but it should be someone else. Not Smith. Someone who can save an easy wrister from the blue-line with no traffic.

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by JackIsBack

Could be the best goalie wins game.

Hmmmmm.....

[Barnet Flame]

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).

Put the farm on +6.5

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by keenan87

He is no good and should not play another game for the Calgary Flames. He has been an utter disaster this season and fans have every right to call him out for his poor play.

You can't possible say that you don't cringe every time there is a shot against Smith (or am I the only one?). From the blue-line, center ice, floater... I get worried every time which is not the case for Rittich when I watch him.

Utter disaster is exaggerating a bit. It is what it is with his game. It has been all over the map, but meh. Just roll with it I say. Sometimes the piling on before anything has happened gets tiring. At the end of the day they have won more than they have lost. As long as he is in a Flames jersey I'll support him.

[Beninho]

Out of all the games tonight I’m really glad the national televised game is Sabres va Blackhawks. Awesome


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by keenan87

He is no good and should not play another game for the Calgary Flames. He has been an utter disaster this season and fans have every right to call him out for his poor play.

You can't possible say that you don't cringe every time there is a shot against Smith (or am I the only one?). From the blue-line, center ice, floater... I get worried every time which is not the case for Rittich when I watch him.

As I said, I don't mind the back-up playing but it should be someone else. Not Smith. Someone who can save an easy wrister from the blue-line with no traffic.

I am not wrong—Mike Smith has seven wins in his last ten starts. Like it or not, so long as the team continues too win games in front of both goalies they are not making a change.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by 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.

That’s the most logical reason I could think of.

[442scotty]

Rittich playing= me calmly eating popcorn

Smith playing = me stressed out over every single moment in our zone