Todd Cordell: Starting Mike Smith in the playoffs would be a mistake

Per Derek Wills on Twitter - Smith is 7-4-0 1.75 / .927 in last 11 GP (Prior to Sunday) and 17-8-1, 2.35 / .912 in previous 27.

Given the Phoenix connection in Calgary with Treiliving and Maloney I'd be very surprised if it isn't Smith's net to lose.

If Peters actually starts Smith in the playoffs I’d be stunned .. The Flames will be toast.

The Flames were totally disinterested last night and still almost won.

he will....and he should.

This situation is a little similar to the Fleury/Murray situation from a few years ago.

Start the vet - let him falter - bring in the kid, organize the parade. You start the kid and he gets destroyed, confidence shattered, no back up plan....Smith sucks too you're done in 5.

Todd Cordell: Starting Mike Smith in the playoffs would be a mistake
- ToddCordellCGY

Todd Todd Todd, I know why you did this & I dont really blame you butttt....I can pretty predict how this daily thread is going to go. I kinda like pushing buttons too hahaha!

Honestly, from the games the last while there are pros & cons to both goalies & quite frankly I see this team winning or able to win with either goalie. That is more of an asset than the end of the playoff world. That is your opinion however & I really appreciate the blogs you do for the Flames but truth be told, who really knows how either of these goalies are going to respond to the pressure of the playoffs. I remember the last time we were in the playoffs, a goalie was lights out for us in the stretch run & then totally crapped the bed. Who knows but I really like our team going into the playoffs this year.

Always a smart decision to choose your goalie based on who had a great October. Playing the goalie who's playing better is always the wrong choice.

he will....and he should.

This situation is a little similar to the Fleury/Murray situation from a few years ago.

Start the vet - let him falter - bring in the kid, organize the parade. You start the kid and he gets destroyed, confidence shattered, no back up plan....Smith sucks too you're done in 5.

QFT

And I think that Riddich > Smith, on most nights. But experience in the playoffs > opening night jitters

Rainbows and unicorns and fairy’s and sunshine!
😀

Todd, you don’t even watch the games you donkey, Jesus. You think you have sobering, intelligent thoughts, but it’s really just a lot of negative BS. All the time. From somebody that only show up to work for half the game day blogs.
- Flamin_Irishmin

Ahhh I see you weren't around during the days where we barely got a blog once a week. Be careful what you wish for!

Just grabbed some playoff tix to the third home game. Don't really care who's in net, long as they kick some ass lol

Ahhh I see you weren't around during the days where we barely got a blog once a week. Be careful what you wish for!
- The-O-G

Agreed. Being a blogger is a thankless job. A conversation around who should be the starter is pretty spot on. Personally, I think Rittich is better but I'm a bit worried about heaping too much pressure on a inexperienced goalie. I say let the big money starter have the crease and see if he can rise to the occasion. Rittich will get a chance at some point but I like keeping him a little sheltered to start the playoffs.

Hey Todd,

Here are the goalies number for the last 3 months, which goalie would you prefer? If you are going to throw stats out to prove a point, look at relevant stats.

Smith

Jan - Mar 0.908 SV%, 2.45 GAA, 55.61 Team Corsi

Rittich

Jan - Mar 0.902 SV%, 3.03 GAA, 52.58 Team Corsi

Hey Todd,

Here are the goalies number for the last 3 months, which goalie would you prefer? If you are going to throw stats out to prove a point, look at relevant stats.

Smith

Jan - Mar 0.908 SV%, 2.45 GAA, 55.61 Team Corsi

Rittich

Jan - Mar 0.902 SV%, 3.03 GAA, 52.58 Team Corsi
- Jaybird14

Since when does Corsi have anything to do with goalie performance lol

It has to do with how well Smith plays the puck and the amount of time the team has control.

But your not a hockey guy... I get it.

Agreed. Being a blogger is a thankless job. A conversation around who should be the starter is pretty spot on. Personally, I think Rittich is better but I'm a bit worried about heaping too much pressure on a inexperienced goalie. I say let the big money starter have the crease and see if he can rise to the occasion. Rittich will get a chance at some point but I like keeping him a little sheltered to start the playoffs.
- tincup

If you're looking for deep analysis buck up and join the athletic. This is hockeybuzz (no offense Todd!)

Hey Flames fans,

Made my second montage. My first was the Hockey Day in Canada one and I got a lot of constructive feedback which I applied to this one. I included more arena and commentator sounds and reduced the bright flash effects.

I'm real excited about this one - it's about the best team in the league so who wouldn't be
I put a lot of effort into this one so hope you guys enjoyed. Please like and share if you enjoyed it! It's cliche to say but it really goes a long way in getting the name out there.

Thanks and hope you enjoyed it! Stay till the end for a little extra something. Can't wait to see your beautiful faces on the Red Mile!!!! GFG

https://youtu.be/cJ5OHPDRThE

Hey Flames fans,

Made my second montage. My first was the Hockey Day in Canada one and I got a lot of constructive feedback which I applied to this one. I included more arena and commentator sounds and reduced the bright flash effects.

I'm real excited about this one - it's about the best team in the league so who wouldn't be
I put a lot of effort into this one so hope you guys enjoyed. Please like and share if you enjoyed it! It's cliche to say but it really goes a long way in getting the name out there.

Thanks and hope you enjoyed it! Stay till the end for a little extra something. Can't wait to see your beautiful faces on the Red Mile!!!! GFG


https://youtu.be/cJ5OHPDRThE
- LittleBroDougie

Great vid Bud! You just needed a to be continued... at the end!

Hey Flames fans,

Made my second montage. My first was the Hockey Day in Canada one and I got a lot of constructive feedback which I applied to this one. I included more arena and commentator sounds and reduced the bright flash effects.

I'm real excited about this one - it's about the best team in the league so who wouldn't be
I put a lot of effort into this one so hope you guys enjoyed. Please like and share if you enjoyed it! It's cliche to say but it really goes a long way in getting the name out there.

Thanks and hope you enjoyed it! Stay till the end for a little extra something. Can't wait to see your beautiful faces on the Red Mile!!!! GFG

https://youtu.be/cJ5OHPDRThE
- LittleBroDougie

Like the video man! Nice work haha

Great vid Bud! You just needed a to be continued... at the end!



- geta02it

Thanks my man! Oh I'm sure that one is implied

Like the video man! Nice work haha
- Ven0m

I appreciate it 🙏

Disagree Todd. Like it or not Smith outplayed Rittich down the stretch. An argument could be made to start Rittich game 1 and give him a short leash--that way the crowd won't get an opportunity to turn on Smith if he happens to let in a bad goal.


Rittich hasn't even looked focused the last few games. Some of his adventures with the puck lately make Smith look conservative in comparison.

Also, I think we are a much harder team to play against with Smith in net. I wasn't on board with bringing in Smith in the first place, but it's too late for that now. Roll with Smith, if he faulters then we can go to Rittich without putting unneccessary pressure on our back up.

Hey Todd,

Here are the goalies number for the last 3 months, which goalie would you prefer? If you are going to throw stats out to prove a point, look at relevant stats.

Smith

Jan - Mar 0.908 SV%, 2.45 GAA, 55.61 Team Corsi

Rittich

Jan - Mar 0.902 SV%, 3.03 GAA, 52.58 Team Corsi
- Jaybird14

To be fair Smith has been spoon fed starts for the last 3 months (e.g Rittich would face teams like Bruins/Bolts and Smith would get Arizona/Wild or some poop). But ya, Smith should probably get the start in game 1--I suspect we will need both goalies at some point in the post-season anyway.

If you're looking for deep analysis buck up and join the athletic. This is hockeybuzz (no offense Todd!)
- The-O-G

Where the (frank) have you been???

Like the video man! Nice work haha
- Ven0m

Sweet vid man! So excited for playoffs!

Sweet vid man! So excited for playoffs!
- DuranDuran

Thanks buddy! Me too