[PGT] Mike Smith loses the game with 2 abysmal goals against. Flames lose to Habs 3-2.

[Jore]

Originally Posted by old-fart

Flames have lost 3 of 4, all 3 with the same goalie, and the 1 win with a different goalie. 2 of those losses are 100% on crap goaltending in games the team played well enough to win. The other was a bit better, but certainly a “good” goalie could have gotten a point or two out of that game as well.

I don’t really care about his little feelings, he is done as an NHL goalie. He is trash.

this has been obvious for a while now. there is absolutely no excuse for them to have thrown this many points away to division teams and to lose twice to a terrible canadiens club that just got blown out the water by edmonton and who didn't even play well tonight. they deserve what they get if they keep starting smith

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Basically he thought team coverage was bad on third goal and that it was a tough one to give up but as for Smith they would get right back at it tmrw.

Meh. Standard coach speak. I wouldn't read anything into it.
Rittich starts Saturday.

Of that I'm certain.
I admit I'm less certain of who starts the game after that even if Rittich plays well.
That's what causes me concern.

[Dion]

NSFW!

https://twitter.com/user/status/1063296034728632326

[zamler]

Take that Calvin Pickard.

[Scorch]

Originally Posted by Yoho

I love when Smith does his outstretched arm belly flop move when he has not clue where the puck is coming at him.

You love it? Cause I sure don’t

[JJJ]

Someone at the Athletic should do an analysis on goaltending coaches and their impact on the goalies under their tutelage.

On a separate note, I haven't used tutelage in a sentence in 10 years and now i've done it twice.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by redforever

It's not just the injury. It is his age. Very few athletes can continue to play at a high level once you reach his age.

He has never been more than an average goalie at best and probably peaked 4 or 5 years ago.

Age and the style he plays. The goalies who last longest are technique guys. Smith has always relied on reaction, size and athleticism (hence why he played deeper). But when you get older, the athleticism fades.

But that doesn't explain the long range softies. That's mental. Or else he needs glasses.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Meh. Standard coach speak. I wouldn't read anything into it.
Rittich starts Saturday.

Of that I'm certain.
I admit I'm less certain of who starts the game after that even if Rittich plays well.
That's what causes me concern.

I don't know anymore...not sure i'd peg Rittich as the starter on Saturday quite yet.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Basically he thought team coverage was bad on third goal and that it was a tough one to give up but as for Smith they would get right back at it tmrw.

If I’m not mistaken I think he said one of his biggest regrets in his career was how he handled the Lack situation in Carolina.

So not surprised if he’s almost a little hesitant now and maybe too gunshy on calling out the goalie.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by heep223

This team has been playing really well. They dominated this game. Them and the Sharks are the top two teams in the pacific. Not too sure what you’re talking about tbh.

Agree re Gio, not his best.

They are not going anywhere with this goaltending regardless of how well the other facets of their game may be.

The Pacific is a division full of completely mediocre teams. Scraping by to get a spot is no real sign of an actual quality team, in my opinion.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Meh. Standard coach speak. I wouldn't read anything into it.
Rittich starts Saturday.

Of that I'm certain.
I admit I'm less certain of who starts the game after that even if Rittich plays well.
That's what causes me concern.

Man I hope you are right about Saturday.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

Yep, blame it on the goalie, but at the end of the day, you should be scoring more than 2 goals.

A lot of guys today had troubles finishing. Backlund, Neal, Bennett and Ryan all hit posts, missed wide open nets, or fanned on their shots.

And scoring is easier if you are not playing tight and worrying when the next softie is coming. These softies are just so deflating. Heck, we are all more than deflated, especially after such a good effort. The Flames must be feeling worse than us.

[Jacks]

Reminds me of Bryz in Philly.
"Bad news is I'm not starting tomorrow"
"Good news is we have a chance to win"

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by timbit

Smith was terrible. 3rd goal was horrible.

That said, tough to win in today’s NHL with a steady diet of <3 goals for per game.

Without horse#### goaltending the flames get a couple extra points in the last 5 games which accumulate over a season to determine home ice in the playoffs.

Absolutely inexcusable goal to let in from Smith.

I'm normally right there in not blaming a goalie for a loss when his team scores 2 or less, but that goal was one if the worst goals I've ever seen scored in an NHL goalie.

That was worse than the goal Elliot let in against the ducks.

[Duffalufagus]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

Not all on Smith. Flames got cocky and stopped chasing the puck hard -- tried stopping it with a couple of lazy sticks and gave up the tying goal. That should NEVER have happened. The third goal? Combo bad play at the blue line and crappy goaltending.

2 points they should have had. Lost intensity and the game with it.

No. Smith lost the game when he let in a wrister that a div C midget goalie would have saved.

They need more finish. For sure. But the lack of points from tonight is 100% on smith. The first goal was garbage too.

[keenan87]

I don't get it.. if Montreal can sit Carey freakin price for a few games.. why cant the Flames sit this pile of crap?

If Smith starts on Saturday, I am done with the Flames for a while. Even if he gets a shutout.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

Not all on Smith. Flames got cocky and stopped chasing the puck hard -- tried stopping it with a couple of lazy sticks and gave up the tying goal. That should NEVER have happened. The third goal? Combo bad play at the blue line and crappy goaltending.

2 points they should have had. Lost intensity and the game with it.

[killer_carlson]

More from Sigalet (who was interesting to hear. No posturing, pretty matter of fact. Didn't make excuses. Didn't throw someone under the bus)

Likes that Smith is his own harshest critic. Likes that he is open about it and doesn't hide from it.

Rittich and Smith get along great. Rittich looks up to Smith. Smith has been a great mentor for Rittich. Smith really supportive of Rittich when Rittich has the net. Wants to see Rittich succeed.

[Jetfire]

Without the goaltending we've had from our "starter" we would be building a comfortable lead atop the Pacific. Instead we're flirting with a .500 record a quarter way through the season. Something needs to happen, and fast.

We've given Smith a quarter of the season to figure it out already!

[Duffalufagus]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

I don't know anymore...not sure i'd peg Rittich as the starter on Saturday quite yet.

Lol. Good one. Unless you think peters is deliberately trying to lose the room.