Flames' Smith steals Game 1, silences critics with shutout

What many believed to be the Calgary Flames' weakness heading into the postseason turned out to be a strength in Game 1 against the Colorado Avalanche.

Goaltender Mike Smith got the nod for the opener despite a shaky regular season that resulted in a sub .900 save percentage. However, the 37-year-old turned in a 26-save shutout performance, silencing the critics in a 4-0 victory that was tight until the very end.

With chants of "Smitty" raining down at Scotiabank Saddledome, Smith made a number of important stops throughout the game.

"Honestly I've never heard anything like that before in my career," Smith said of the chants, according to Postmedia's Kristen Anderson. "It gives you confidence."

The way Smith was flashing the leather, it's clear confidence was not an issue.

Here's a look at a few of his best stops from the night, beginning with a windmill glove save on Derick Brassard:

Have mercy, Mike Smith! pic.twitter.com/HPVmWw953B

- NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) April 12, 2019

With the Avalanche pressing on the power play, Smith made an incredible reactionary save to rob Alexander Kerfoot:

Mike Smith is having himself a night. pic.twitter.com/6gSmYth4fa

- NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) April 12, 2019

Late in the contest, Smith stoned Nathan MacKinnon to keep his team's two-goal lead intact:

Mike Smith's glove is on "" pic.twitter.com/0u4NnTcRi5

- NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) April 12, 2019

While it may not make the highlight reel, Smith's elite puckhandling ability helped slow down the Avalanche's forecheck and mitigated their zone time. He even picked up an assist on Matthew Tkachuk's empty-net goal.

Add an assist for Mike Smith on @TKACHUKycheese_'s empty net goal. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/GJAlWm7ZCj

- NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) April 12, 2019

Smith has enjoyed playoff success before. In 2012 - his last postseason run - he led the then-Phoenix Coyotes to the Western Conference Final with a .944 save percentage and a 1.99 goals-against average. In fact, he owns the best postseason save percentage of all time at .947, albeit in a 20-game sample size, according to Sportsnet.

If "Playoff Smitty" is a thing, the Flames could be a scary team to face this postseason.

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