[GDT] Flames vs. the Columbus Injured Team (6:30 PM on SN 360)

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

So far, yes. But given how well he has played earlier in the year and over the course of his NHL career it seems incredibly premature to write Rittich off at this point of the season. Successful goaltending in the playoffs is all about playing your best hockey at the right time. There is good reason to think that Rittich can still be that guy in April.

But why?

He's 30th is SV% and 40th in GA's

Why would he all of a sudden turn it up for post-season? Just because we hope so?

And no one is suggesting releasing him. They are suggesting going with the hotter hand.

[OmegaV4]

Ima be there for this one tonight. Really looking forward to it.

Onward, Flams!

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

666-0 BJs

69 BJs are better.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

But why?

He's 30th is SV% and 40th in GA's

Why would he all of a sudden turn it up for post-season? Just because we hope so?

And no one is suggesting releasing him. They are suggesting going with the hotter hand.

Who is going to have the hotter hand a week from now? Two weeks? In April?

The best thing to do is to ensure that both goalies are playing their best when the playoffs start.

[Duffalufagus]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Yeah people are guilty of overrating how good Talbot has been and overrating how bad Rittich has been. Talbot has let in some real stinkers in the past couple months.

It's interesting to see people continue to fixate on goaltending even though it's really been the least of our concerns this entire season. We've been getting good enough goaltending to be an elite team. We haven't played defense like an elite team though. We haven't competed consistently like an elite team. And yet some will continue to pretend goaltending is holding us back or Ward's goaltending decisions are somehow the make or break.

Rittich and Talbot have been good enough. The skaters have not been. Let's see who steps up at this important time of the year.

here is some very recent analysis of the situation:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...algary-flames/

Talbot has been slightly better. But to Textcritic's point, neither have been very good. Goaltending is not a strength on this team right now.

[redmile04]

Why 6:30?

[Duffalufagus]

I am not at all convinced that Rittich can get the job done in April. Pressure seems to get to him. He has shown well in spurts, and in fairness was easily the Flames' best player in the first quarter of the season, but I do not think he is anything more than an average goalie in the NHL.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Duffalufagus

I am not at all convinced that Rittich can get the job done in April. Pressure seems to get to him.

He was the Heat's best player in Stockton's playoff run in 2017. They were one bad giveaway by a 19 year old in the last minute away from advancing to the second round (and I'd like to think our blueliners are more experienced and sensible than that).

Maybe the AHL and NHL can't be compared in terms of scoring skill, but I think the pressure is the same. Rittich has for the most part played his best hockey in big games, or when the team needs him most. He tends to play his worst hockey when the team has a multi-goal lead in my opinion, although it very rarely costs us.

The exception to this is games in Vegas. But I feel that all goalies have one team that lights them up. Bobrovsky vs Pittsburgh. Price vs Tampa. Rinne vs Calgary. I'd still expect him to grow into it in a playoff series.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Originally Posted by the2bears

At the risk of invoking Godwin's Law, do you know who else liked dogs?

But seriously, if he advocates for animal rights that's a good thing.

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

666-0 BJs

I had to check three times that this wasn't an AC post

[Jeff Lebowski]

Sending CGY positive vibes!! Bring the game you know you can play - fight like hell all over the place.

[TheScorpion]

I'm absurdly sick today and mixed with depression it's causing a ridiculous lack of energy.

Let's hope the Flames stole it

[Iggy599]

Go Flames! Got a good feeling about tonight.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Who is going to have the hotter hand a week from now? Two weeks? In April?

The best thing to do is to ensure that both goalies are playing their best when the playoffs start.

Can't you apply this logic to any set of goaltenders for any situation?

It's true, if Rittich suddenly gets hot, play him. But based on his career and season stats, the Flames shouldn't rely on something like that happening.
Talbot deserves more starts at the moment and Rittich doesn't. Play the goaltenders accordingly.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Duffalufagus

here is some very recent analysis of the situation:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...algary-flames/

Talbot has been slightly better. But to Textcritic's point, neither have been very good. Goaltending is not a strength on this team right now.

Interesting article, but that just underscores the question: how much of this is on the goalies? If you look at GF since January, I believe the Flames are among the top 5 in the NHL. However, I believe they are also near the bottom in GA during the same stretch. Something tells me that's not a coincidence.

I think the reality is that the Flames are being more aggressive on offence (versus the structure oriented shut-down game they were trying to play earlier in the year), and the result is that they are scoring a lot more but also giving up more goals against. As long as they're winning (which they have been doing since early April), that's the only stat that matters IMO.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

Can't you apply this logic to any set of goaltenders for any situation?

More or less, yes. Although some teams have a much firmer grasp on who their starter is in April. St Louis knows. So does Winnipeg. In Tampa and Dallas there is no debate.

It's true, if Rittich suddenly gets hot, play him. But based on his career and season stats, the Flames shouldn't rely on something like that happening.

That's not what I am suggesting the Flames do at all. I am suggesting that both goalies split games down the stretch and that the decision is best made in four weeks, not today.

Talbot deserves more starts at the moment and Rittich doesn't. Play the goaltenders accordingly.

I agree Talbot should get more starts, but in so doing the result should see both goalies playing close to equal numbers of games in March. I don't think it has anything to do with who "deserves" it. With how both goalies have played (generally fine, but not exceptional), I don't see that anyone has earned anything at this point. As of today, both Talbot and Rittich look like interchangeable options to me.

[IGGYFORMVP]

Colombus is a desperate team that knows they have to play balls to the walls to have a chance.

If the Flames can't match there intensity and play like they care they will get embarrassed. Again.

[Puppet Guy]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I'm absurdly sick today and mixed with depression it's causing a ridiculous lack of energy.

Let's hope the Flames stole it

Me too, dude. Steal a win for Scorp and The Puppet.

[Jaydee]

Is Lindholm playing?

Would rather Bennett play center and Monahan wing

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Interesting article, but that just underscores the question: how much of this is on the goalies? If you look at GF since January, I believe the Flames are among the top 5 in the NHL. However, I believe they are also near the bottom in GA during the same stretch. Something tells me that's not a coincidence.

I think the reality is that the Flames are being more aggressive on offence (versus the structure oriented shut-down game they were trying to play earlier in the year), and the result is that they are scoring a lot more but also giving up more goals against. As long as they're winning (which they have been doing since early April), that's the only stat that matters IMO.

The Flames have needed a goalie since 2013 when a then 36 year old Kipper retired. In that time they have used 3 of their 43 draft picks on a goalie in the draft. Kind of shocking when you compare that to teams like the Ranger who have drafted six goalies over the same period of time or Nashville who have drafted 8. Even more surprising when you consider the Flames actually had a need for a goalie and those organizations did not for the early part of that time period.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I'm absurdly sick today and mixed with depression it's causing a ridiculous lack of energy.

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

Me too, dude. Steal a win for Scorp and The Puppet.

Do you guys have the corona virus?

Wash your hands!

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