[GDT] FLA vs FLA @ 5:00PM; Broadcast on Amateur Hour Network (SNET)

[DeluxeMoustache]

The Flames were outplayed by 2 teams that are the class of the league, schooled by the last one, while coming out from the break flat.

Bold prediction : both goalies play better from here forward

Starting with Smith tonight who lets in fewer goals than most expect

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Duffalufagus

If they do, they are going into the playoffs with the worst or second worst goaltending in the conference.

I just can't understand how people are comfortable with Rittich given his body of work. He was hot earlier this year. he has been pretty bad recently and was awful down the stretch last year. It is very concerning to me.

dismiss stats all you want. his are bottom of the league over his last several starts. that is not good enough goaltending to do any damage in the playoffs. You don't outscore bad goaltending in the playoffs.

This is probably true, but I think it comes down to realistic expectations of what can be done to fix the current goaltending situation. A replacement backup goalie is likely an affordable pickup, but also one that is not going to affect the team's fortunes much if at all. A replacement starter will be expensive, and historically speaking these sorts of trades don't work out well.

I think the Flames are pretty limited by what they can do, and what impact the change will have by upgrading the position now. It is something that will be rectified in the offseason.

[Redliner]

Flames win 17-0. James Neal scores 16 goals then doesn’t get another one for the rest of the season. Mike Smith scores the other one.

Bennett scores 2 but they are both called back.

[dsavillian]

Originally Posted by Redliner

Flames win 17-0. James Neal scores 16 goals then doesn’t get another one for the rest of the season. Mike Smith scores the other one.

Bennett scores 2 but they are both called back.

I can't suspend my disbelief for this one

what coach pulls the goalie at 16-0?

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

This is probably true, but I think it comes down to realistic expectations of what can be done to fix the current goaltending situation. A replacement backup goalie is likely an affordable pickup, but also one that is not going to affect the team's fortunes much if at all. A replacement starter will be expensive, and historically speaking these sorts of trades don't work out well.

I think the Flames are pretty limited by what they can do, and what impact the change will have by upgrading the position now. It is something that will be rectified in the offseason.

It a tough pill to swallow, but its true, quality starting goalies can't just be picked up off the street. I am convinced that there are not 31 consistent NHL starting goalies in the world. Most teams have to make due, and the Flames to this point have been alright at making up for their deficit.

[TheIronMaiden]

The Snake tells me that the Flames have already had two slumps this season. The last was from game 34 to game 39. The Flames responded with a dominant stretch over their next 12 games. This slump will end no differently.

The Flames will recover, the Snake Wills It!

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

It a tough pill to swallow, but its true, quality starting goalies can't just be picked up off the street. I am convinced that there are not 31 consistent NHL starting goalies in the world. Most teams have to make due, and the Flames to this point have been alright at making up for their deficit.

As good as this year has been, I still see this season as another one in a longer term of development and building. Even if Rittich does not find the same form he had in November between now and April it is pretty difficult to be overly disappointed. He took another big step forward this year. I believe he still has room to grow into being a quality NHL starting goalie, and we will hopefully see him take another couple of steps yet.

So, regardless of what happens year I am not especially worked up about the Flames goalies. There is a bigger picture here.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

It was in the game takes post for the TB loss.

I looked at the goals Rittich let in, declared them unstoppable, and took heat for it. Haha.

Or I wrote up a game story where a Calgary goalie gave up six goals, called him average, and took heat for it.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

As good as this year has been, I still see this season as another one in a longer term of development and building. Even if Rittich does not find the same form he had in November between now and April it is pretty difficult to be overly disappointed. He took another big step forward this year. I believe he still has room to grow into being a quality NHL starting goalie, and we will hopefully see him take another couple of steps yet.

So, regardless of what happens year I am not especially worked up about the Flames goalies. There is a bigger picture here.

At 26 he has a bright future. Peters and Treliving have done the best they can, for what could have been a disaster in net. This season still has the potential to be special. But I agree, its all about the long term with a young team like this. My hopes is that for the next 5 years the Flames are a mainstay at the top of the standings. To achieve that, they need to make prudent decisions, I think that one of them is not pressing the panic button when the team faces adversity.

[Bingo]

For the record I'm just not that emotional about goaltending ... be it Rittich or Smith.

Pointing out that Rittich has really struggled statistically for the last 7 weeks isn't me saying any of the following;

1) Smith is a better option
2) Rittich sucks
3) Rittich won't recover
4) The Flames need to trade for a goaltender.

It's just saying there seems to be a line in the sand from his first 20 appearances to his last 14 statistically.

Right now Calgary has two bottom third backup goaltenders and that's not good enough.

[Duffalufagus]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

This is probably true, but I think it comes down to realistic expectations of what can be done to fix the current goaltending situation. A replacement backup goalie is likely an affordable pickup, but also one that is not going to affect the team's fortunes much if at all. A replacement starter will be expensive, and historically speaking these sorts of trades don't work out well.

I think the Flames are pretty limited by what they can do, and what impact the change will have by upgrading the position now. It is something that will be rectified in the offseason.

I view Howard as an upgrade on Rittich. Not a backup.

The team won't do it. By all accounts they want Rittich to be their guy next year and bringing in a guy this late could upset the locker room. I get that. I just don't like where the crease is right now. At all.

The story has legs: https://www.tsn.ca/examining-the-goa...rade-1.1257747

[Split98]

Great game to get this slide under control. You'd have to think that the Flames will be ready for this one tonight, and the Panthers could be just what the Dr ordered to get Johnny and Sean going again.

Gonna feel bad for Reimer if FLA takes the TB loss out on FLA

[Split98]

Originally Posted by dsavillian

I can't suspend my disbelief for this one

what coach pulls the goalie at 16-0?

Reimer pulled himself

[Erick Estrada]

I actually think this is a pretty important game for Smith. If he plays well I feel the coach won't hesitate to ride him as long as he can maintain solid level of play. That's asking a lot given how Smith has played this season but if he was ever going to get off the snide this is the perfect time.

[gamesaver]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Rittich has played terribly. He was bad against Vancouver, he was bad against Tampa. Smith has also played terribly. He's bad against almost everyone.

League-average save percentage this year is lower, yeah, but .810 isn't even close to good, and .901 since November 25 isn't "average," it's below average. I want another goalie as soon as humanly possible because I am no longer convinced in Rittich's ability and definitely not Smith's.

You can always pick the stretch that works best for your goals. This "stretch" of 3 games contains Sharks and Tampa. Yes, Rittich has been worse as of late, but look at the whole picture. He was not bailing out the team's luckluster defensive effort like he did the whole January. How many own goals has T.J. Brodie scored on our goalies this year? Or those beer league level giveaways. It's hard to maintain amazing numbers for the whole regular season playing behind that. Also I felt like Rittich was livid during the Caps game after the break, sitting at that bench for no real reason. I am absolutely not surprised he has regressed after that. Instead of letting him pick it up right where he left off, coaches showed more faith in Smith puck playing than Rittich puck stopping. I am still amazed by the fact Peters thought it's better to start a 88% goalie that can pass over a 92% goalie that makes saves. Especially in that game, knowing our history of slumping after bye week. There was no reason to rest him and we have entered the slump right after, exactly as I said after that game.

The ship needs to be righten before the deadline, or we have to trade for a goalie that actually insipre some confidence in our coaches.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by 8sPOT

Why is Smith starting? I don't think Rittich has been THAT bad, and the thought of Smith in net is nerve racking. Feels like an automatic 3 goals against, maybe that's just me, but I don't like that decision at all.

Showcasing him for a trade lol

[dino7c]

Neither guy is playing well...Rittich has started the last three games

Pretty obvious why Smith is starting

[The Yen Man]

I don't really have much confidence in Smith, but I can see why he's starting this game. Rittich has not looked great. Might as well change it up to see. Plus, I agree with a couple posters who's mentioned it already. I think this is a good last test for Smith to see if Treliving will need to make a trade at the deadline.

[Johnny Makarov]

The only good thing about Rittich and Tkachuk since the all star break is that they have saved the Flames around $4mil in cap space next year!

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by Bingo

For the record I'm just not that emotional about goaltending ... be it Rittich or Smith.

Pointing out that Rittich has really struggled statistically for the last 7 weeks isn't me saying any of the following;

1) Smith is a better option
2) Rittich sucks
3) Rittich won't recover
4) The Flames need to trade for a goaltender.

It's just saying there seems to be a line in the sand from his first 20 appearances to his last 14 statistically.

Right now Calgary has two bottom third backup goaltenders and that's not good enough.

I haven't checked that thread on Rittich lately but did anyone manage to dig up stats on the SV% in close games?

Basically can we discount the late goals when the flames were already up a ton in games and stopped playing defense?

Or use it to show that smith let in way more goals at bad times than rittich?

Either way, hope one of them figures it out