[GDT] They're back! Flames @ Capitals, 5:00 PM on Sportsnet West - Page 4 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

bax · 02-01-2019, 10:05 AM

No need to overreact. Flames play an afternoon game on Sunday so that's as close to a back to back as you can get without it actually being one. I assume the plan all along was to get each goalie game, especially with a three day break following Sunday's game. You need both goalies to be fresh so giving each a start after a big, long break makes sense.

I suspect we get Rittich in Carolina and then again on Thursday against the Sharks.

Split98 · 02-01-2019, 10:06 AM

I don't understand what message they want to send to Rittich with this move, nor do I understand the risk.

We play Sunday afternoon against Carolina, and that's it until Thursday. Unless Rittich is hurt, you're giving the starters games back to Smith it would seem. After the great season he's had so far, and what that's meant to this team's success... that's a very odd thing to do.

Needless to say, I absolutely hate this move. Either Rittich is out, or this is a pretty big slap IMO.

Jeff Lebowski · 02-01-2019, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbob

Maybe they think they can capitalize Smith playing the puck against these guys. Might be able to catch them sleeping and will also be a major pain in the ass if they try to dump it in.

Smith is excellent at nullifying a forecheck with his puck playing abilities. Just need him to be smart and make sure. I'll be rooting hard for him and the rest of the Flames. Great opportunity for them to put on a tremendous performance. Play their game - smart, skilled, fast, battle winning hockey.

skudr248 · 02-01-2019, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbob

It is fine. He is a capable goalie.

Toonage · 02-01-2019, 10:11 AM

Well, look at it this way. Tonight was going to be a weird game no matter what. First game back for both teams after a long break. Smith (for good & bad reasons) will likely help keep the team in front of him (the Flames I mean) focused.

GranteedEV · 02-01-2019, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Split98

I don't understand what message they want to send to Rittich with this move, nor do I understand the risk..

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.

CroFlames · 02-01-2019, 10:12 AM

Ovi is scared of the Flames so decided to sit this one out instead of the Leafs game. I'd be scared of the Flames too.

Is this what people in 1989 were feeling? It feels awesome checking the President's trophy race and not the Wild Card race for a change. We're coming for you Tampa.

corporatejay · 02-01-2019, 10:14 AM

Thank God.

Split98 · 02-01-2019, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bax

No need to overreact. Flames play an afternoon game on Sunday so that's as close to a back to back as you can get without it actually being one. I assume the plan all along was to get each goalie game, especially with a three day break following Sunday's game. You need both goalies to be fresh so giving each a start after a big, long break makes sense.

I suspect we get Rittich in Carolina and then again on Thursday against the Sharks.

When you look past Thursday too, getting a game in does make sense:

Tonight - Washington (Ovechkinless, and stumbled into the break)
Sunday - Hurricanes (Afternoon game, but something to prove)
Thursday - Sharks
Saturday - Canucks
Tuesday - Lightning
Thursday - Panthers

If you're still considering Rittich the starter, you ideally don't play Smith until February 14th against the Panthers with this schedule. There's enough rest in between games, and there's a patch of games you'd Ideally want your starter in net. Coming off the bye, that's pretty cold.

I think the afternoon game in Carolina should be the backup game, and not the Champions... but maybe that's how little faith he has in the champs vs a Hurricanes team with a chip on their shoulder.

Split98 · 02-01-2019, 10:20 AM

Quote:

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.

Yuk, I hope not. I wouldn't be shocked, but I hope that everyone's smarter than that though. If we can write it on a message board, the agent can argue it as well (and argue for assumed success). I love Chuckie on PP1 TBH. It feels like overkill... and I love that our team can overkill these days

bax · 02-01-2019, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Split98

When you look past Thursday too, getting a game in does make sense:

Tonight - Washington (Ovechkinless, and stumbled into the break)
Sunday - Hurricanes (Afternoon game, but something to prove)
Thursday - Sharks
Saturday - Canucks
Tuesday - Lightning
Thursday - Panthers

If you're still considering Rittich the starter, you ideally don't play Smith until February 14th against the Panthers with this schedule. There's enough rest in between games, and there's a patch of games you'd Ideally want your starter in net. Coming off the bye, that's pretty cold.

I think the afternoon game in Carolina should be the backup game, and not the Champions... but maybe that's how little faith he has in the champs vs a Hurricanes team with a chip on their shoulder.

That's exactly right. You need to get both goalies playing time and with the schedule the way that it is, this is the best opportunity to do so over the next two weeks.

keenan87 · 02-01-2019, 10:34 AM

Honestly, I don't mind the backup starting. That being said, Smith is utter garbage and should never play another game again.

Aarongavey · 02-01-2019, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

The goalie who's won 10 of 12 and who has a .912 save percentage in those games is starting?

Seems fine to me.

Not sure where you got those numbers from but in his last 12 games he has a .903 SV percentage. While better than his .888 SV percentage over the entire year, is not .912.

He has also won 9 of his last 12 games, as Rittich got the win in the Philly game.

He has put up a .903 playing against 8 non playoff teams and 4 playoff teams. He was better against the non-playoff teams though, as against the playoff teams he only had a .900 SV percentage.

TheScorpion · 02-01-2019, 10:43 AM

I meant 10 of his last 12 decisions, my apologies.

Textcritic · 02-01-2019, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by transplant99

Wills just mentioned that Rittich took a shot off the melon in practice as well but is OK.

Says he is pretty sure Smith starts.

Gulp!

Wait... Isn't that part of Rittich's regular game day routine?

Textcritic · 02-01-2019, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Isn't Smith much better on the road? I'd rather Rittich too, but Smith has been acceptable recently. Also don't have to worry about OV tonight.

They are both much better on the road. I believe Rittich has the best road numbers of any starter in the League.

tvp2003 · 02-01-2019, 10:45 AM

You can't (shouldn't) play Rittich every damn game. Plus, I'd rather give Smith some starts before the trade deadline so you know what you have (or don't have) down the stretch.

I'm also hoping the rest has helped Smith recover from whatever lower body injury was clearly affecting his play.

Doctorfever · 02-01-2019, 10:45 AM

Mike Smith's last start was two weeks ago. Mike Smith is starting because he hasn't played in a while. It is not about Rittich or stats, it's that they need to get Smith some playing time.

Aarongavey · 02-01-2019, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbob

I will still take 10 of 13 from my back up goalie.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I meant 10 of his last 12 decisions, my apologies.

Smith has not won 10 out of 13 though, he has won 10 out of 16 (winning percentage of .625, which is still decent but not worthy of a start against the Stanley Cup Champions). Save Smith for the Townsend Tigers. In terms of decisions it is 10 of 15.

Imported_Aussie · 02-01-2019, 10:47 AM

Quote:

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.

Holy overreaction Batman!

Rittich cannot play every game.
Sure, this is the first game back, but in the context of the schedule (as posted above) this is probably the best game to give Smith.
I feel the coaching staff probably have the starter penciled in for most of the remaining games, and will only change if injuries or extreme performance trends impact that