GDT: Game 31: New York Islanders @ Phoenix Coyotes // 12 Dec 13 // 7pm AZ Time
- Thread starter ck26
- Start date
PHX FireBirds18
Registered User
- Jul 20, 2006
- 3,171
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Boedker doing his best Sjostrom impersonation...
Cmon Boeds finish the game strong and get the hatty!
Cmon Boeds finish the game strong and get the hatty!
JTPoni23
Registered User
2 deflections and Michalek scoring, but it's 100% Smith's fault. If Greiss let those in you guys would be destroying Michalek and blaming the D for not tying up their guys in front on the deflections, but because it's Smith it's his fault. Give me a break.
Obviously he's been below average this past month but the perspective swings are pretty entertaining on here. I saw Greiss let in the exact same goals against Calgary but not a singe one was his fault apparently.
Obviously he's been below average this past month but the perspective swings are pretty entertaining on here. I saw Greiss let in the exact same goals against Calgary but not a singe one was his fault apparently.
Ahh, watched an awesome 3rd period and OT for the Jets, and I'm missing an exciting Coyotes game.
Yeah but those are deflections he should stop. I mean once you make the decision to blocker away a puck into the corner and it changes directions you should be able to pause the puck move your blocker back in to position.
I don't think you do get it. It isn't that anyone hates Smith, it is that Smith has sucked for all but a few games this year. Our team is saving his ass in this game. Our defense has been solid, but any freaken chance the Islanders get, Smith lets in.
Or are we not allowed to criticize goalies, ever?
JTPoni23
Registered User
The 1st one I get, probably should've been stopped. I'm not saying he shouldn't stop them. I'm just saying if Greiss let those in I guarantee there would not be a single complaint. I'm not ragging on Greiss, I love the guy. I think he deserves more starts. Hell I think he could be a starter if given the chance, just like Smith was given his chance here. But if Smith let in those exact goals in the Calgary game there would be a riot.
He is, he's an excellent goalie. No other goalie in the league can play the puck like smith. Not may are as athletic as smith. Smith is the only reason this team made it to the western conference final. You need to stop dogging him. Yeah maybe he is in a slump right now, but he contributions to the team are greater then his faults.
Yeah, because both are equally compensated to play the same position. Smith should have the fundamentals to stop a single deflected puck with traffic in front getting paid 5M a year. But hey, it's alright if he lets in a few softies every other game while we watch the west just keep climbing.
JTPoni23
Registered User
The first goal the puck was going way wide. There was no reason for Smith to get out of position in an attempt to blocker a shot going so wide. Smith's fault.
Second goal was tipped by Z, not Smith's fault.
Third goal was was all on Smith. Tipped or not, he needs to make that save. You pay someone elite money, they need to play like an elite player. Are we going to never say Smith should stop a challenging shot because it's, well, challenging?
Smith has sucked, accept if you want, or keep being delusional about it. In the end, Smith allows 3 goals per game and has a .911 sv%. Yeah, nothing is his fault, though.
How is the team saving his ass right now. Michalek is scoring on his own net. Take that one away and the other two are deflections. This game would be 5-2. I doubt you guys would be *****ing so much.
JTPoni23
Registered User
CC96
Serious Offender
Lol a stick flipped over the boards and some dude caught it. Then a Yotes trainer made the guy give it to him. Guess we couldn't afford to lose it, haha.
JTPoni23
Registered User
Yah he's sucked. Where did I say nothing was his fault? I just said he should've had the first one...He is not a 5 million+ goalie right now. I've watched almost every single game he's played in his life since Dallas. Trust me I'm not being delusional. Not his fault he got paid for one year of success. He's my favourite player, but of all people I can tell you he's playing exactly like Tampa right now before he got dealt. Terrible GAA and save percentage, good W-L because of a high scoring offense.
You're missing the point here, poni. When you're expected to be a starter, you prepare better, you practice better, you have to be better. The display of smith this year has been dreadful to say the least.
Greiss is an excellent back up but he is not nearly relied upon like Smith is and when you see that kind of performance facing less than 10 shots and let in 3, there's a problem.
Don't give me that agent crap. Take responsibility and earn your money. You want 5M a year play like it. Go ahead and reference Ilya Bryzgalov while you're at it.
Etch
Relegate the Oilers
Listen man. Smith is a solid puck mover, no one's arguing that or his athleticism. We're not happy with his ability to make saves right now, a goaltenders primary job.
If, like you say, "his contributions to the team are greater than his faults," can you explain to me why Mike Smith is currently sitting 44th overall in the league in save percentage? (Even limiting it to goaltenders who have played more than 10 games, Smith ranks TWENTY SIXTH).
We can argue about each individual tip in goal all day long, but after 30 some games, he hasn't been good enough and the team has to carry his weight, tonight's a good example of that where he hasn't really made any above average saves. This is an internet forum where I feel I can vent and rag on him a bit. I still like the guy and hope he turns it around.
JTPoni23
Registered User
Slow start. He'll turn it around. Just like the first season with us. Just like last season. Last season it was a little to late because of the short season.
Doubt it. And if that were the case he wouldn't be here.
Right, you could. However, we're talking about Mike Smith, not someone else. Look, I don't care if you both love the guy and think he is the next best thing since sliced bread, but he's been equal to that of a back up. Unacceptable. When he starts earning his money, you'll be able to tell.
