[GT] Kings vs Flames

[Jore]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Rittich has lost 2 straight.

and he has a 92.4 save percentage. smith has an 88.3. they have the biggest gap of all teams in the league. smith is bloody horrible

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I say again, the first goal by Dallas looked just like the one in this game. Yet everyone (correctly) blamed the defence in that game, but not this one. It's a tough save when the puck comes from behind the net to an open guy in the slot.

What part of that goal screams good positioning

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by Jore

and he has a 92.4 save percentage. smith has an 88.3. they have the biggest gap of all teams in the league. smith is bloody horrible

Somehow still splitting time, we need a compilation of this guys softies this year. Awful. Like I’ve said before we are treating him like he’s a 36 year old Kipper trying to find his game, when this in reality is mediocre career starter Mike Smith at 36.

[GullFoss]

Classy interview by neon dion

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I say again, the first goal by Dallas looked just like the one in this game.

Not quite, this one was a squeaker from the right circle. That one was from dead center and top corner. But I agree that the defensive coverage on both was disappointing.

[Jore]

Originally Posted by Beninho

Somehow still splitting time, we need a compilation of this guys softies this year. Awful

i mean, the flames were pretty much lulled to sleep that period and stopped skating, on top of not finishing any of their chances, but that's a shot than an nhl goalie has to make, full stop. disgraceful

[bluck]

Anyone have a clip of the opening ceremony thing with Dion? I missed it

[stone hands]

Brad tray living

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Jore

and he has a 92.4 save percentage. smith has an 88.3. they have the biggest gap of all teams in the league. smith is bloody horrible

Yup, correct.
And Rittich has lost 2 straight.
So he sits tonight.

[gamesaver]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Same exact type of goal as Dallas' first goal against Rittich, so he may or may not save it.

Can´t agree here as there was no screen and it was a short side, low blocker shot. First goal against Dallas was a screened shot from the slot straight into the far top corner. That is a much harder save to make.
If Rittich was to blame for any goal last time it was probably the second one when the pass went straight trough the crease and under his stick, could have been easily intercepted.

[Shazam]

Meh, I just watched the goal, I wouldn't blame Smith on that one. He was however windmilling like crazy in the first period.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by heep223

You said they had no mojo. They just spent 3 minutes straight in the O zone with chance after chance.

That resulted in barely any shots or a goal. Teams with killer instincts and mojo would've gotten a goal there. Like the past few games the Flames have lit up the lamp.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Yup, correct.
And Rittich has lost 2 straight.
So he sits tonight.

How is that a reason for him to sit?

He lost one where his team was grossly outplayed and shut out. And he posted a .929

And while he wasn't all-world in the previous one, there isn't really a goal you can pin specifically on him being out of position or tracking the puck poorly - the goals against respectively were

- A snipe from the slot by Spezza
- a backdoor powerplay tap-in by Benn
- an unfortunate deflection off of shinpads
- a snipe from the slot by Seguin, after Rittich was interfered with

He didn't cost the team in either of those games, they didn't necessarily deserve to win either.

Smith has cost the team multiple games they've deserved to win.

[Yoho]

Love Versteeg as guest.
“Cut his ice time and hope he goes home.”

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by gamesaver

Can´t agree here as there was no screen and it was a short side, low blocker shot. First goal against Dallas was a screened shot from the slot straight into the far top corner. That is a much harder save to make.
If Rittich was to blame for any goal last time it was probably the second one when the pass went straight trough the crease and under his stick, could have been easily intercepted.

Rittich actually tried to poke check that pass but missed.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Beninho

What part of that goal screams good positioning

The part where he had to play deep to watch the guy behind the net, and then cover the middle of the net on a bang bang play to the open slot. Exactly how can he move out to challenge without opening up all kinds of net? Face it, you wouldn't be happy with any way he played it.

[SixtySix]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Yup, correct.
And Rittich has lost 2 straight.
So he sits tonight.

Why do you say this like it's such an obvious, sensible conclusion? Smith's leash has been insanely long and he continues to stink it up almost every time he plays. Visually and statistically, it's really clear that Rittich is the calmer, safer, and better option in goal. Why not let him run with the starting job for a while? Why does he have to sit just because he's lost two straight, when the alternative is the worst goalie in the NHL?

[Yamer]

How did Lindholm get that shot off? Wow.

EDIT: And Johnny is playing inspired tonight. Hope he pots one.

[Joborule]

They unfortunately don't give hat tricks for post shots Johnny.

[heep223]

Kings can barely flip the puck out of their zone, getting completely dominated