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Starting Mike Smith in the playoffs would be a mistake

April 4, 2019, 11:08 AM ET [70 Comments]
Todd Cordell
Calgary Flames Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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The big question surrounding the Calgary Flames: which goaltender will get the nod come playoff time? If the past week is any indication, it appears Bill Peters has made his choice – and I think it's the wrong one.

Mike Smith started, and sucked, in Sunday's game against San Jose allowing three goals on 15 shots. Still, the Flames managed to squeeze out the necessary victory in order to clinch top spot in the Pacific Division and Western Conference.

Since then, David Rittich has started two straight behind the 'B' team in what were (almost) entirely meaningless games. Theoretically, that sets up for Smith to return to the pipes for Saturday's tune-up against Edmonton before the post-season begins next week.

If that's the case, and Smith really is going to be the starter, I think the Flames are making a big mistake. Simply put, his numbers don't hold a candle to those of Rittich.

Most of every game is played at 5v5, especially come playoff time when refs tend to put their whistles away a little more. In that game state, Rittich owns a .929 save percentage. That's the exact same number as Pekka Rinne, Andrei Vasilevskiy and Frederik Andersen. Elite company to be keeping.

Smith, on the other hand, has posted a .906 save percentage at 5v5. That puts him just below *checks notes* Craig Anderson and Roberto Luongo. Yikes.

Overall numbers tell a similar story. David Rittich's .911 save percentage slots him a little behind Marc-Andre Fleury (.914) and Sergei Bobrovsky (.913), and a little ahead of Braden Holtby (.910) and Henrik Lundqvist (.907). Not elite, but solid – particularly in a season where goal scoring is up.

Once again, Smith's numbers leave a lot to be desired. His .898 save percentage ranks him 32/35 among goaltenders with 2,000+ minutes played. The three guys he's outperformed? Martin Jones, Keith Kinkaid, and Jonathan Quick. The starter for the team dead last in save percentage, Columbus' 3rd stringer, and a washed goaltender playing behind a truly horrendous team.

Smith's play has improved over the last couple of months. I'm not going to argue otherwise. But both guys appeared in 40+ games behind the same team, and one (Rittich) posted much better numbers than the other (Smith). I'd take my chances on the former.

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