My post was not directed at you haha don't worry
What I'm concerned about is the past 3 games before Ottawa, where Smitty did step up in the absence of Doan and slumping players as you said. He only allowed 2 against Carolina, 2 against Montreal and 1 against Toronto. The offense only needed to score 2 goals in those games, and went 0/3. Toronto was a lucky point.
Ottawa plays a wide open style of game, much different then Toronto and Montreal. Which is why when we went down 2-0 yesterday I did not throw in the towel like I would've against the Habs or Leafs. I thought we could come back and we did. Smith let in at least one softie against Smith, the Methot goal is debatable since I don't know why a defensive defenseman can walk out all alone in front of the other team's net. Regardless, Smith came up big late in the 3rd when Ottawa got their powerplay, and Vermette came up big when we got ours. Then Smith came up big in OT against Macarthur, and Vermette came up big again. For the first time in 4 games we got some offense and Smitty got support, and we won.
Basically what I'm saying is, yeah Smitty might win a couple 1-0 games, but we can't score one goal a game and win. This team scored 2.56 Goals/Game in that offensively challenged '11-12 season. The least the guys in front of Smitty can do is score 2 goals a game. If Smith plays like he has the past 4 games, for an extended amount of time, and the offense can net minimum 2 a game, then we are set.
I have been a Smith supporter since they signed him this summer, I liked the deal. But, as a team we have had plenty of offense this year and have been ranked top 5 in scoring most of the year. Our scoring is better then expected, some would say overachieved so far. Our team D has under performed, some would say do to key injuries, Z, DMO, and to Klesla being MIA.
Smith has been average at best as a goalie and I think Tip would tell you he is under expectations. His GAA is just too high, his save % is too low, and he has no shut outs so far. I don't recall many games, maybe one, where Smith did not give up a soft goal or made a number of awesome saves. At some point he needs to not give up a soft goal and make the big saves, he has not done it yet.
I see the injured and inconsistent D that has left him hanging but I also see a goalie that has been average at best. I am not down on Smith and I think he will get better as the season moves along.
