Todd Cordell: G49 Calgary Flames @ Toronto Maple Leafs: Rittich starts again

7-5 Leafs

Todd Cordell: G49 Calgary Flames @ Toronto Maple Leafs: Rittich starts again
- ToddCordellCGY

You Flames fans had better give your boy Tkachuk fair warning:

If he tries any funny stuff with our superstars, he's going to have to answer the bell to...well...umm...

He's going to find it very hard to get a good reservation to any nice restaurant after the game. And don't be surprised if they "run out" of the chocolate souffle when he tries to order it for dessert.

Don't frank with the Maple Leafs.

Lol. Very excited for when Tkachuk buries Sandin and nothing happens to him after.

You Flames fans had better give your boy Tkachuk fair warning:

If he tries any funny stuff with our superstars, he's going to have to answer the bell to...well...umm...

He's going to find it very hard to get a good reservation to any nice restaurant after the game. And don't be surprised if they "run out" of the chocolate souffle when he tries to order it for dessert.

Don't frank with the Maple Leafs.
- Atomic Wedgie

You Flames fans had better give your boy Tkachuk fair warning:

If he tries any funny stuff with our superstars, he's going to have to answer the bell to...well...umm...

He's going to find it very hard to get a good reservation to any nice restaurant after the game. And don't be surprised if they "run out" of the chocolate souffle when he tries to order it for dessert.

Don't frank with the Maple Leafs.
- Atomic Wedgie

7-5 Leafs
- shack67

Probably not too far off!

Probably not too far off!
- Clyde334

Probably not too far off!
- Clyde334

Could also be 7-5 Flames

I'm not a fan of Talbot, but starting Rittich is a horrible coaching move. Talbot's been as good as anyone for the past few weeks, has won four in a row, and was even the NHL's third star last week.

Rittich was fine against Montreal and the loss wasn't on him, but he still lost. How do you sit Talbot two games in a row the way he's been playing, especially coming off a loss?

What's up mo fuggas?

Good to see everyone still around. Hope you guys are all staying warm

Lol. Very excited for when Tkachuk buries Sandin and nothing happens to him after.
- SolidGoldBricks

Tkachuk's really not that kind of player. He tends to go after the hotheads on the other because he knows they'll react and he wins. He's not out there running whoever he can.

This made me laugh this morning. The extreme weather forecast for Toronto...

https://www.cp24.com/mobi...ert-of-the-year-1.4769797

Could also be 7-5 Flames
- shack67

I like your thinking better than the others

I'm not a fan of Talbot, but starting Rittich is a horrible coaching move. Talbot's been as good as anyone for the past few weeks, has won four in a row, and was even the NHL's third star last week.

Rittich was fine against Montreal and the loss wasn't on him, but he still lost. How do you sit Talbot two games in a row the way he's been playing, especially coming off a loss?
- Hunkulese

It's probably because they don't wanna ruin Talbot's confidence. This game is a nightmare game for goalies. Like everyone is saying, it's gonna be high scoring game. Talbot just found his groove and is confident, you don't wanna throw a goalie who struggled and is finding his consistency in this kinda game. Rittich is more stable and will be ok even after allowing many goals, Talbot at this point doesn't need this game.

Could also be 7-5 Flames
- shack67

With the way the Leafs play it could be 7-5 Flames after the 1st period!

Looking forward to seeing Tkachuk destroy Matthews tonight

It's probably because they don't wanna ruin Talbot's confidence. This game is a nightmare game for goalies. Like everyone is saying, it's gonna be high scoring game. Talbot just found his groove and is confident, you don't wanna throw a goalie who struggled and is finding his consistency in this kinda game. Rittich is more stable and will be ok even after allowing many goals, Talbot at this point doesn't need this game.
- hockey4hockey

It's exactly the opposite though. Talbot is supposed to be the backup but has been unreal lately. You ruin his confidence by having him play as well as he has and still not giving him starts. If he gets lit up, oh well, he's the backup.

Rittich has been struggling but played pretty well against Montreal. If he gets lit up tonight and Talbot plays great and beats the Sens, then what? If Rittich plays great tonight, he should also play Saturday. At that point, Talbot's lost any momentum he had.

Wow Toronto issues an extreme weather warning for -12, wtf. Anyways the Flames will bounce back and win tonight.

Wow Toronto issues an extreme weather warning for -12, wtf. Anyways the Flames will bounce back and win tonight.
- FlamesFan1230

It's been an absolutely joy of a winter so far, folks who sleep outside may be unprepared.

Wow Toronto issues an extreme weather warning for -12, wtf. Anyways the Flames will bounce back and win tonight.
- FlamesFan1230

The whole billboard thing is amazing!

With the way the Leafs play it could be 7-5 Flames after the 1st period!
- NewfieStud

It's exactly the opposite though. Talbot is supposed to be the backup but has been unreal lately. You ruin his confidence by having him play as well as he has and still not giving him starts. If he gets lit up, oh well, he's the backup.

Rittich has been struggling but played pretty well against Montreal. If he gets lit up tonight and Talbot plays great and beats the Sens, then what? If Rittich plays great tonight, he should also play Saturday. At that point, Talbot's lost any momentum he had.
- Hunkulese

Hunk why do you always disagree with anything anyone says I could say something like there should be world peace and you will figure out a way to disagree with that Just pulling your hair man, but I know what you mean. It's a hard situation whether you play or not play Talbot. If you play Talbot and he shuts out the Leafs (not a chance)... yes it could be a big confidence builder for him. But you have to remember this guy has struggled for a couple of years so better to be safe and not play him. Him not playing will not shatter his confidence because he knows he is still a backup. If he was our number one goalie then yes your argument makes sense but he is not. He is still ex-number 1 goalie who is currently back up in Calgary and just starting to find his groove. So we have to be patient with him, and I think coaches are doing that and getting him to get his confidence up. Some may say he doesn't need that as he is a professional athlete and getting paid tons of money, but the end of the day he is just a human being too and is prone to emotions. Let's see if he continues on his hot streak... and then i'm sure he will get more starts

I agree with hunky, how is talbot not getting the start... guy has a 922 save percentage this season. What a shame.

Hunk why do you always disagree with anything anyone says I could say something like there should be world peace and you will figure out a way to disagree with that Just pulling your hair man, but I know what you mean. It's a hard situation whether you play or not play Talbot. If you play Talbot and he shuts out the Leafs (not a chance)... yes it could be a big confidence builder for him. But you have to remember this guy has struggled for a couple of years so better to be safe and not play him. Him not playing will not shatter his confidence because he knows he is still a backup. If he was our number one goalie then yes your argument makes sense but he is not. He is still ex-number 1 goalie who is currently back up in Calgary and just starting to find his groove. So we have to be patient with him, and I think coaches are doing that and getting him to get his confidence up. Some may say he doesn't need that as he is a professional athlete and getting paid tons of money, but the end of the day he is just a human being too and is prone to emotions. Let's see if he continues on his hot streak... and then i'm sure he will get more starts
- hockey4hockey

Chances are either the goalie plays incredible tonight or the Leafs score 4+. Why risk putting that on Rittich who's been struggling and might be turning things around, especially when the Senators are next on the schedule and then the week off.

Talbot has been incredible lately. If he gets lit up tonight, oh well. If he has a great game, fantastic. Both outcomes are fine. Rittich getting lit up by the best offense in the league is not what you want if you want Rittich to take back the starting spot.

If nothing else, Talbot's earned the start.