[PGT] Flames lose 4-3

[Itse]

I think at this point it's likely safe to say Smith is staying for the rest of the season.

Just accept it. It'll be easier.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by IliketoPuck

I disagree that Smith didn’t let in any soft goals.

The third goal is an easy stop if Smith challenges the shooter and is out at the top of his crease. The fourth goal is a nice shot, sure, but that is all Kuznetsov had to shoot at, since the Flames defender was laid out on the ice taking away the low shot. If smith is square to the shooter and just stands up that’s off his shoulder into the corner. Instead he’s down early, deep in his net, and hugging his post awkwardly at a poor angle.

Smith let in four goals. Two were stoppable and one occurred because he went out to play the puck and caused a scramble. Let’s call a spade a spade. The guy isn’t an nhl caliber goalie anymore. Full stop. This you need both your goalies going to be successful narrative is bs and keeps giving smith opportunities that he hasn’t earned. If you want a second competent goalie, fine. But it isn’t going to be smith. He’s shown over the course of an entire calendar year that he is what he is at this point.

Smith needs to be on the pine for the foreseeable future. And the Flames should trade for mcElhinney or someone else who is reasonably competent to backup rittich.

Wait...........that 4th goal that was a laser to the top corner is somehow 'stoppable'? If that's a stoppable shot then isn't pretty much any goal stoppable?

Your standards for Smith are beyond reachable if you're going to pin that goal on him. Sometimes it's just a fantastic shot.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Wait...........that 4th goal that was a laser to the top corner is somehow 'stoppable'? If that's a stoppable shot then isn't pretty much any goal stoppable?

Your standards for Smith are beyond reachable if you're going to pin that goal on him. Sometimes it's just a fantastic shot.

It has gotten to the point where the viotrol has clouded any objectivity about him.

He can literally do nothing right in a segment of the posters, yet its they who are most vocal about him.

36 saves is a pretty good game for any G at any level, except Mike Smith.

[LWcrowfoot]

The vitriol is disgusting but that's the minority and hopefully it's taken care of. Stay Golden's comment last night was beyond what a fan should say about players.

36 saves is pretty good, but goals are continually his fault, off his stick with his poor giveaways.

Smith had a good run of six games from late November to early December but it was bad before and and it's been bad after that.

This Flames team is battling with Tampa for 1st overall with a bonafide 1b or backup.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

If the Flames had a goalie that stopped every shot they'd be first in the league.

[LWcrowfoot]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

If the Flames had a goalie that stopped every shot they'd be first in the league.

Good lord.

[Toonage]

I think Yen Man was bang on about it not being so much the weak goals but the timing.

Remember after Smith came back last year and stunk, and people suggested he was trying too hard? I believe even Smith said as much. Same thing now. He knows they need a save, and he misplays it always at a crucial moment. Smith does make great saves during the course of most games. He just seems to let them in when they need a save the most.

[Heavy Jack]

Is the league going to look at the hit on Gaudreau at the end?? Backstrom should get at least a game imo. Predatory hit, late, right at the end of the game and against a superstar.

If a hit like that happens to McDavid we hear about it for a week on all the networks.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by LWcrowfoot

Good lord.

Exactly.

Extreme statements do sound a bit silly, don't they? Like 'goals are continually his fault'.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Is the league going to look at the hit on Gaudreau at the end?? Backstrom should get at least a game imo. Predatory hit, late, right at the end of the game and against a superstar.

If a hit like that happens to McDavid we hear about it for a week on all the networks.

I find it interesting that sportsnet has nothing to say as well. McDavid gets hit like that and it's going to be on over and over again with in depth analysis by the talking heads.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Exactly.

Extreme statements do sound a bit silly, don't they? Like 'goals are continually his fault'.

Then maybe we should look at stats? How do they make Smith look?

[Otto-matic]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

I find it interesting that sportsnet has nothing to say as well. McDavid gets hit like that and it's going to be on over and over again with in depth analysis by the talking heads.

If McDavid/Matthews gets hit like that after the game everyone seems to be up in arms how we don't protect star players. The NHL would probably be looking into it as well.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

I find it interesting that sportsnet has nothing to say as well. McDavid gets hit like that and it's going to be on over and over again with in depth analysis by the talking heads.

It’s terribly frustrating especially because it was on Gaudreau. You know hockey analysts and NHL officials, the player you named 1st star of last month? Brutal if not even a fine is handed out on this one.

[zamler]

52 games into the season the Flames have lost 14, of those Smith was in net for 10.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by zamler

Then maybe we should look at stats? How do they make Smith look?

Do you mean to say we haven't been looking at the stats? Over and over? We all get it. If anyone can bring a fresh point to the discussion that would be welcome.

[Iggy Snipe]

Originally Posted by Flames fan 4 life

I think this ref was in New Orleans a couple weeks ago...

It is embarrassing for the league that the Refs are this inconsistent and blind. It is Absolutely crap, and then they call soft stuff that decides the game with 2 minutes remaining. Unbelievable.

That is the definition of interference and it can't get any more blatant or obvious.

The Flames didn't play that bad for their first game back from the break, and Smith looked better than expected. They should have got a point but it was lost at the end on a soft call. Nothing Smith could do on that shot. These type of games, losing like that at the end, stings the team. The players don't like losing like that, so look out in Carolina for a big rebound.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by zamler

Then maybe we should look at stats? How do they make Smith look?

Who has argued that he has looked anything but underwhelming? Why do we need to look at stats at this point to know this? He needs to be better at times, i dont think there is a contributor to this board that has suggested anything else. Hell if he can be upgraded cheaply then that needs to happen as well and the sooner the better.

But you want to talk stats?

There is one that matters above all else.

The team has won 10 of his last 13 decisions, and isn't that what we want to see?

[zamler]

Originally Posted by the2bears

Do you mean to say we haven't been looking at the stats? Over and over? We all get it. If anyone can bring a fresh point to the discussion that would be welcome.

People keep saying Smith is not that bad and that he's getting unfair criticism. The stats say he is the worst goalie in the league and yes he does tend to let in at least 1 stinker per game. I will stop bringing up his numbers when people stop making excuses for the guy.

Smith should not be playing any games in a Flames uniform IMO.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

It’s terribly frustrating especially because it was on Gaudreau. You know hockey analysts and NHL officials, the player you named 1st star of last month? Brutal if not even a fine is handed out on this one.

I think it's really crazy how the pretend player safety is actually important. The refs last night let the capitals go after both tkachuk and gaudreau with no calls. The hit on johnny is one thing, but the open hit and slash on tkachuk were both blatant and ignored.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by zamler

Then maybe we should look at stats? How do they make Smith look?

What does that have to do with anything I've said?

He's had a bad season. I can only say it so many times. Not sure what else you're looking for.