[PGT] Poor goaltending does the team in .... AGAIN. Flames lose 6-4 to the Bruins.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Toonage

If the Flames think Rittich is a long term solution then go ahead and give Detroit the 1st for Howard.

a 1st for Howard? Sure, if they take Neal.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by flame^thrower

I just don't understand how some can continue to defend Smith. He's done. I really wish we had some other option. At this point if Rittich is still out next game, I think you have to go with Gillies. Sigh

It would be odd to see people defending Smith after that poor performance. I expect that why there are no such posts in this thread.

I imagine that Rittich will play on Saturday. I am not especially eager to see Gillies play.

[CanadaMatt]

Smith was very poor tonight. Game has passed him by. It’s a pity Because he’s a hell of a bloke and has been an amazing player throughout his career.

That being said, a number of defenders had sub-par nights tonight too. They shouldn’t be let off just because Smith was bad.

[Jacks]

Watched the game at the pub with some buddies, that was so deflating. I never want to see Smith in net again, we shouldn't have to score 5+ goals every freaking night. Enough, play Gillies, play whoever, pick up a scrub on waivers, can't be worse, Smith is done.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by chummer

Lol, we're not missing the playoffs. The Athletic has us at 99% at making the playoffs.

People need to relax.

True but the Flames would be running away with the division\conference if not for Smith. Should Rittich get injured going into the playoffs they might as well miss.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by chummer

Lol, we're not missing the playoffs. The Athletic has us at 99% at making the playoffs.

People need to relax.

If Rittich gets hurt and there’s nothing done prior to that, I wouldn’t be confident about a playoff berth.

[Breakfast]

Originally Posted by AC

I figure Smith has cost us a conservative 6 points.

4 games we should have at least got to OT, and we probably win 2 of those 4 safely.

Home vs NSH (Rinaldo winner),
Away vs ANA (at least 2 brutal goals),
Home vs MTL (brutal winner late),
Away vs BOS (2 brutal goals).

If course he's had a few really good games, but also a bunch more we won clearly in spite of his struggling. Very frustrating.

The Rinaldo goal was a snipe. Broken clock is right twice a day.

The others I agree 100%, and that’s being conservative. I’d say if there was a video of the ten worst goals given up by goalies this season, Smith would have around 3 or 4 of them.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Zero chance Edmonton helps a team they are competing for a playoff spot with.

They arent competing with Calgary for a playoff spot though....not even close.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

It would be odd to see people defending Smith after that poor performance. I expect that why there are no such posts in this thread.

I imagine that Rittich will play on Saturday. I am not especially eager to see Gillies play.

So you would still rather smith over Gilles?

Presuming rittich can’t go

[dieHARDflameZ]

Originally Posted by AC

1st goal was bad, 5th goal was inexcusable.

Down by 1, should have been up by 1.

Almost pulled it off anyways, if only Chucky scored one of his 3 just misses.

I didn’t like the fourth goal either. Krug made a nice play but Smith was standing there so flat footed HO HUM not ready at all to make a save. Just an embarrassing effort from him.

Honestly, I get why so many people on CP constantly beat their anti-Smith drum, he has now single handedly cost this team probably 10-12 points. The guys played great tonight, he cost them the game plain and simple, five goals (six including the empty netter) on five high danger scoring chances.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Zero chance Edmonton helps a team they are competing for a playoff spot with.

There is no world where the Edmonton Oilers are competing with the Calgary Flames for a playoff spot.

[sketchyt]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

Why can't they coach this out of him though?

He's usually someone who plays at/near the top of the crease, so I suspect it's one of two things:

1. Lack of confidence. I don't think this is the case with him, knowing what I do about him personally.

2. Most likely, I think he's dealing with a lingering minor groin injury. Injured enough to slightly limit mobility, not injured enough to be on IR. He knows he can't go post-to-post reliably without further injury. I've seen him make some pretty odd save decisions all year. His butterfly is really narrow all of a sudden and he's flopping into it instead of driving into it. If you look at Boston's fourth goal, he doesn't even make an attempt to push off his left foot/leg. I understand he bit on the fake, but there's zero attempt. All of these, in my experience, speak to groin/hip issues.

Rebuttal will be to say he shouldn't be selfish and sit out, but that's how these guys are made. Understandable and crappy at the same time, IMO.

[The Yen Man]

It's really too bad we couldn't pick up McElhinny. A tandem of him and Rittich would have been solid. Instead, we are stuck with Smith,who at this point, isn't even a competent backup, despite what his record shows.

[dino7c]

Multiple bad goals...no ten bell saves

I mean their guy was suspect at times but made some ####ing saves

[Cantrader]

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

So you would still rather smith over Gilles?

Presuming rittich can’t go

Gilles or Schneider... anyone but Smith

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by transplant99

They arent competing with Calgary for a playoff spot though....not even close.

Last time I checked, there is half a season left. They aren’t going to throw in a towel and help a rival.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by CanadaMatt

Smith was very poor tonight. Game has passed him by. It’s a pity Because he’s a hell of a bloke and has been an amazing player throughout his career.

That being said, a number of defenders had sub-par nights tonight too. They shouldn’t be let off just because Smith was bad.

The reason you pay a goalie is so that when your defense has an off night and gives up good chances you expect the guy to bail you out with a save.

Smith hasn’t done that in almost a calendar year on a consistent basis (or 6 months of hockey season if you want)

[Fire]

Yes Smith was terrible but way too many of you take the game way too seriously. If you get so upset about a hockey game you should do some self reflection.

[RedHawk12]

Originally Posted by SmoggyFlamesFan

Mike Smith makes starter money. Mike Smith is expected to make some saves to keep the team in the game. To put him out there is demoralizing for the team because even on his best nights, he still lets in at least 3 goals. 1 or 2 of them is always a back breaker. When you get paid millions of dollars to do your job THIS POORLY he deserves the criticism. The way this game was lost is the REASON we are having this discussion in the first place. If any of us performed at my work place the same way Smith does, we would all have been fired a long time ago. Don't expect this conversation to stop until Smith is replaced.

And this is exactly why everyone's so frustrated with him, but why do that to yourselves?

It's obvious that people here still have high expectations for this guy, because somewhere in people's minds they still see him as a starter. Everyone will absolutely deny the fact that he's a starter and yet point to his starter-level salary etc. and criticize him for it.

Look. I've given up on Smith a few months ago. Thankfully Rittich has stepped up in that time. But the fact is, Smith has stolen a couple of games for us. The Nashville shutout and the Minnesota games come to mind. For a backup goalie to steal us a few games is good enough for me.

Change your expectations on Smith. He looks a lot better when/if you actually see him as a backup.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Zoller

2 bad goals

Only 2?