Cherry pick stats since the allstar break really doesn’t mean much. You look at quality of competition and it wasn’t Smith starting against our closest division rivals or the best team in league. Probably not the Leafs either. Smith has gotten a few bubble teams and the Islanders. No top team is scared of playing the Isles, if they are, they probably don’t deserve to be a top team. With such a small sample size, the difference between Smith and Rittich’s totals, are literally who starts the Tampa game, which usually isn’t very good for opposing goaltender’s stats. I don’t think management has faith in either of these guys. I mean, you don’t inquire about the likes of Howard and Quick if you do. Smith having the confidence to stop a beach ball, heading into the playoffs, is obviously pretty important to management. Not only because they don’t fully trust Rittich but also because the team had absolutely no faith in front of Smith, and it clearly showed in their play.
Treliving made a purpose of stressing how important the Iginla game was to not only the organization, but the fans and Iginla family, as well. I don’t think Smith ******** the bed, in that game, did much for the faith of the organization, when it matters.....like the playoffs.
