Here's the question. Do you start Rittich or go with Smith for tonight and see if he can go B2B? With the All Star Break (Blegh already) the Flames don't play until Tuesday.
The break combined with the All Star break couldn't have come at a worse time. Flames get their legs back hopefully only to go on another break and play against Vegas when its over.
Tough decision. Smith has both wins against LA and was terrific in the first one (not as good in the second). Rittich hasn't lost a start in a regulation or OT, but he has an official L against Edmonton (in 20 minutes of backup work). That was his only game under .923 and it was .666.... (2 goals on 6 shots). Smith is 15-4 and 1 against Edmonton (he also has the .815 no decision against the Oil). Smith played well against Buffalo, though I wasn't happy with the OT goal (even though it was a faceoff loss, that everyone has talked about, Eichel's shot wasn't screened and Smith was over in time - it just went through him).
If Rittich had played against LA and done well, I'd say give him the first start.
Smith tonight and Rittich tomorrow or do we play Rittich tonight and Smith tomorrow since Smith is such a road beast?
The game is to important tonight not to play Smith. Frankly if I could only win of the next two games I would pick LA 10/10 times. The Edmonton game just doesn't have as much meaning. It might as well be an Eastern Conference game.
Yeah. Wednesday night Hockey has Toronto/Chicago as the early game so I am guessing the other SN channels will have that game until it is over. So it will be joined in progress. The entire game should be on SN360 unless they unplug the truck again.
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My expectation is that the Flames come out hot against a tired, listless Kings team and leave us all scratching our heads as to why they couldn't do the same against Buffalo.
Me fear is that they only manage to scrape out a loser point so that the "points in the last 'x' games" narrative can continue, even though this is an important divisional game and giving the struggling Kings any momentum would be hugely disappointing.
My expectation is that the Flames come out hot against a tired, listless Kings team and leave us all scratching our heads as to why they couldn't do the same against Buffalo.
Me fear is that they only manage to scrape out a loser point so that the "points in the last 'x' games" narrative can continue, even though this is an important divisional game and giving the struggling Kings any momentum would be hugely disappointing.
GFG!
I think both teams had lackluster previous games because both were looking to this game. I expect both teams to come out firing in a playoff type game.
After having a 5 game break, and another break coming up, I ride Smith both games as long as he says he is good to go.
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@PR_NHL
The @NHLFlames are the first team to feature four players each with 50+ points within their first 45 games of a season since the Penguins in 1995-96 (Ron Francis, Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Tomas Sandstrom).
I would hate to have a coach that actually listens to his Vezina quality goaltender when deciding who plays.
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@PR_NHL
The @NHLFlames are the first team to feature four players each with 50+ points within their first 45 games of a season since the Penguins in 1995-96 (Ron Francis, Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Tomas Sandstrom).
I was at the game in Vancouver last night, the game was actually over before I got to my seat. The Kings did not look good at all. I'm sure they're looking to bounce back, but If the Flames can come out with some intensity they should be in good shape for a W.
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A few weeks after crashing head-first into the boards (denting his helmet and being unable to move for a little while) following a hit from behind by Bob Errey, the Calgary Flames player explains:
"I was like Christ, lying on my back, with my arms outstretched, crucified"
-- Frank Musil - Early January 1994
