You would hope the decision of which goalie to play has more thought put in to it.
Fourth last game of the year as a one game play in?
Sounds like something the Oilers would do. Except for the obvious that we are talking about who is starting in net, not who tees off first
Why do people have a hard time reading?? I said you could lean toward Smith, I didn't say this game defines who starts game one. Jesus, people will twist anything to start an argument on here.
I don’t see us winning this one. We rarely win in San Jose and they’re going to be super hungry to beat us and get to only 4 points back. My hope is that their old guys are tired after playing last night.
Calgary (48-23-7-103) @ San Jose (44-25-9-97) 6:00pm (SNW, SNE, SNO, SNP, SN360)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
I am a bit surprised that Smith gets the start tonight and he would not be my choice to start in the playoffs, but comments like this don’t make any sense to me. I rather think the coaches have done s masterful job of handling the goalies, and with how much was on the line this year in Calgary I cannot fathom how the priority was anything but starting the goalie who gave the team the best opportunity to win games. Period. Yes, Smith received a little more latitude because he is a veteran. This is just how things go in hockey, and I don’t believe for a second that the goal was always for Mike Smith to be the starter. He was at the beginning of the year, but was clearly supplanted by Rittich in December. I have little doubt things would have stayed that way had Rittich’s performance not slipped a little starting in February.
In any event, I am sure hoping for another strong effort from Smith tonight.
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That’s a fair assessment, I have just felt that the team has given Smith extensive amount of rope in the hope that he would be able to solidify himself as the starter. I don’t really believe Smith has been good enough to supplant Rittich but because he hasn’t been a compete tire fire recently the organization has decided to go with the veteran goalie. I just don’t think he’s the better goalie, their play over the entire season speaks for itself.
I do hope I’m wrong and Smith continues to play well obviously
Beninho, I think you're an excellent poster, but describing Smith's recent play as "not a complete tire fire" is quite a disingenuous undersell. He's been well-above-average since December and has been downright excellent in his last ten games.
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Smith starting today tells me Peters knows who his guy is. If Smith can throw together a run like he first half of last year we are in super great shape for a deep run.
Calgary (48-23-7-103) @ San Jose (44-25-9-97) 6:00pm (SNW, SNE, SNO, SNP, SN360)
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheScorpion
Beninho, I think you're an excellent poster, but describing Smith's recent play as "not a complete tire fire" is quite a disingenuous undersell. He's been well-above-average since December and has been downright excellent in his last ten games.
Ah ya I would agree that you are right, my wording was definitely a bit harsh. The metrics do prove he’s been very good since the all star break and I can’t deny it. I just can’t shake the thoughts of his play from earlier in the season and I have an obvious bias for Rittich along with terrible memories of other veteran goalies who have shat the bed in the post season. I guess I will just have to Billieve!
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Last edited by Beninho; 03-31-2019 at 02:33 PM.
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Thinking about it some more, since 1 point doesn't help them, and they have already clinched 2nd, then in the OT, they should pull the goalie.
They have to win, and a loser point doesn't help them.
I think getting to 3 on 3 over time favors the Sharks as the Flames have not done well in the 2019 calendar year in OT. Plus the Flames have 0 shootout wins this season.
If the game is in OT with a minute left and San Jose has possession than perhaps they take the more calculated risk and go for 4 on 3 with the thought being g that they will not give up possession. They are 0-3 in shootouts.
Ultimately though 2 points is what they need anything less doesn't help them. They might be willing to take some risk. But I don't see them pulling goalies with 3 minutes left in a tie game.
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I'm not entirely sure of what happened to Smith earlier this year, but it did look awfully suspicious for adjustment to the new equipment sizes. He was still making the reaching 'reaction' saves, but the more positional saves were going through him like a sieve, particularly under the arms. I am also suspicious that he was probably more affected than most by the sizing changes, as he might have been pushing the limits before to make the gear 'proportional' to his size because he is such a big goalie to begin with.
I imagine that it's awfully difficult to teach an NHL vet to play his position differently. However, his improved play is quite promising to me, as he isn't letting in so many flat-out stinkers that he was last fall. I don't mind if he gets beat on a deke or a top shelf shot, but he's making more of the saves that he should. That's supported by his improved low-danger Sv%.
I was very uncomfortable with him earlier this year, however I do think it's worth giving him another shot now. Not because I think he magically has turned back time, but because I think something fundamental has changed; he has learned how to play with his new gear. I'm not expecting him to be as good as the start of last year - how could he? His gear got smaller. But I think he's a legitimate option and I think the players probably have some faith in him too. The players and coaches are the ones watch the goalies save hundreds of pucks every practice, so they clearly know which goalie is feeling it much more than fans. I'm willing to trust it.
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Re: Playoff starting goalie. I agree that there is no way the staff has concretely picked a starter but are likely leaning one way. Smith starting this game is not conclusive that he’ll start the PO’s. I feel safer with Rittich BUT I think Smith’s puck handling skills could be absolutely pivotal in a seven game series. The amount of wear and tear on our D is limited, and essentially eliminates the dumpin as a means for the opposition to gain the zone, forcing them to carry it in always, leading to turnovers.
That said my guess is that both goalies will get starts in the playoffs.
I hope the game goes into overtime with the Sharks pulling their goalie to keep pace with the Flames on ROW and Mike Smith scoring the OT winner. It could happen. Bahaha
