Start 33

[shogged]

Start 33 cause we are gonna need Smith for the 3 games after

[tvp2003]

Give Smith the start against Montreal. It's a game the Flames should win, so long as the team doesn't crap the bed in front of him. Best case scenario is that Smith plays well, which means you give him the next start in Pittsburgh and then come back to Rittich as often as is appropriate. If he struggles, you give Rittich the next start against Pittsburgh and go from there.

Otherwise, by going right back to Rittich, you start putting more pressure on him to be "the guy", while Smith (and his ego) are left opening the gate. It's still early, and not the first time a backup has played better than the start to start the season (see Rask vs Halak in Boston).

[GreenLantern2814]

David Rittich deserves a string of four or five starts in a row. He should then get a night off, and then another four or five starts in a row. The team's biggest question mark is in goal.

Rittich is right at the age when a lot of goalies figure out the NHL. He was beaten tonight on an otherworldly shot from Jack Eichel. Hasek in his prime isn't stopping that. The team cannot afford to wait for Mike Smith to fail. Here's why it's better to give Rittich an extended audition early in the year.

1. If Rittich is successful, you found your starting goalie in November instead of January. In this case, you end up in a position of luxury, where Mike Smith is now playing every 4th or 5th game.

2. If Rittich bombs, they still have most of the season in front of them. And then you have a rested, hungry Mike Smith who's desperate to get back in the net. You can ride that for a little while at least.

3. If Rittich succeeds, then the team doesn't need to spend assets to bring in Bobrovsky/Varlamov/Price/Whomever. The team needs a stud goalie. If it's Rittich, great. If it's not, we need to know one regardless.

Smith is a pro. He'll be ready when they go back to him, and they'll need him a ton before this is over.

But it's time to start 33.

[Split98]

I think the needle swinging Rittich's way is certainly earned, but we might not need to see either goalie start 4-5 in a row this year.

If we give Rittich the bulk, like a 3 on 2 off scenario - with him getting the nod for the tougher games I think we're in a great position. I think in limited games, Smith has potential to give us far better goaltending than anyone would expect from a backup

10/31 vs Colorado - Smith
11/03 vs Chicago - Rittich
11/07 at Anaheim - Rittich
11/10 at Los Angeles - Smith
11/11 at San Jose - Rittich
11/15 vs Montreal - Rittich
11/17 vs Edmonton - Rittich
11/19 vs Las Vegas - Smith
11/21 vs Winnipeg - Rittich
11/23 at Las Vegas - Rittich
11/25 at Phoenix - Smith
11/28 vs Dallas - Rittich
11/30 vs Los Angeles - Smith

or something like that

[TheScorpion]

I am no longer not convinced that Rittich should be starting. Good god, Smith has been a tire fire.

[SportsJunky]

Smith is the starter.

Until he’s not.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

It feels like they are already splitting duty. I’m sure we aren’t far away from 33 actually taking the net if the trends continue. We need another goalie though, not confident enough with banking on Rittich for the entire season.

[Zoller]

That 1st goal that the Avs score is 100% on Smith.

Smith seems to be having issues with players disguising their slap shots.

[Karl]

Yep. I've been convinced. Give Rittich the reigns now.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Smith is the starter.

Until he’s not.

He's not.

Unless the Flames want to keep pissing away games and maybe miss the playoffs.

[I_H8_Crawford]

I was on board with the whole "team needs to play better D"

They have been, and then Smith gives up 2 GARBAGE goals tonight that have no business going in.

He's done - Treliving better be PRAYING that Rittich can handle starting for this team, as Smith is going to cost them a ton of points with his play.

[Joborule]

Rittich gives this team the best chance to win right now. Team confidence in their goaltender is so important, and there's no way this team could have it in Smith.

Stick with Smith, and this team sinks. Don't waste wins by hoping a goalie that's past their expiry date will finally figure it out. They never do.

[GullFoss]

time to sit smith

[JurassicTunga12]

Smith is hard to watch right now. He was one of our concerns going into the season, and he's proving our concerns right. Hopefully Treliving has something cooking in terms of goaltending. Give Rittich the ball.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Yeah I’m on board. The team isn’t good enough to make up for bad tending
Might as well see what you gave in Rittich

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Yeah I’m on board. The team isn’t good enough to make up for bad tending
Might as well see what you gave in Rittich

At the very worst, you have a goalie in Rittich who is still probably slightly better than Smith.

At best, you have a .920+ Sv % goalie who gives you a chance to win each night.

[chummer]

Another reason not to start a thread when the Flames are losing.

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by chummer

Another reason not to start a thread when the Flames are losing.

The offense bailed Smith out this time. He's still awful.

Like seriously what more does he need to do to prove that he's toast? His numbers have to be the worst of any tender in the entire league.

[Split98]

No, I don't think you need to score 5 in the 3rd to win games.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Smith is the starter.

Until he’s not.

He's not.