THE LITTLE THINGS

Back on Sept. 13, in those first blushes of a new relationship, Mike Smith - yearning for post-season hockey after five long years in the springtime wilderness - laid plain a heightened ambition.
"Everyone says there's nothing like playoffs,'' the combative shot-blocker mused then, showered and changed after an informal skate at Winsport, brimming with expectation about his fresh start as a Flame. "And it's true.

"Can you properly express how much they mean to a player? No, not really. It's the most fun time of the year. Kinda like Christmas? I guess."
Well, Christmas didn't come early in 2018, either.
Seven months later, the disappointment is tangible.
"You look at our team on paper … we were considered one of the best teams in the Western Conference,'' said Smith on Monday, as the group began to splinter off for an early summer.
"But it's easy to look at yourself as a group on paper and say: 'Hey, we should be here' or: 'We should be there.'
"It's another thing to go and do it.
"But I think the nucleus of players we have here … we have some great leaders. Arguably one of the best captains in the league in G and the supporting cast is there.
"We have the right pieces in place."
At 36, now entering the final season of six-year deal signed in Arizona, Smith isn't quite ready to put his teeth in a glass of water on the bedside table or go angling for the seniors discount at Denny's.
"I'm gonna play until my body tells me I can't," said Smith. "I don't feel like I'm the oldest player on this team.
"My age is just a number as far as I'm concerned. Outside of the minor setback with the injury this year, my body's held up fairly well.
"When I came here I felt rejuvenated about the opportunity to play in Calgary, in a hockey market, in front of some of the best fans in the league.
"That part of it is has been enjoyable. As frustrating as times have been this year, it's been fun to play in Canada, in a country that I grew up in. It's been fun to come to the rink, knowing the building's full, they're cheering for you.
"A unique experience, for sure. Different than anything I'd been through before. I've learned different things, playing in front of a Canadian market, talking to you guys all the time.
"So not all doom and gloom."

Absolutely lights out over the first half of the season, the undisputed team MVP at the midway mark and an All-Star Game addition in the bargain, Smith faltered slightly from those dizzying heights after missing seven game due to a "lower-body" injury in late February.
"I'm confident in the goaltending we have,'' declared GM Brad Treliving on Monday. "If you look at Mike, we'd all agree (he) was having a terrific season. But there was a dip before his injury.
"Along with our team, quite frankly, and along with a lot of people. After that it was kind of like: 'Let's hold on until Smitty can get back.'
"Expecting him to walk on water and save us the rest of the way. Talking to him today, he was trying to make the 40th save on the first shot.
"He put a lot of pressure on himself and things didn't go his way. I think he's an elite goaltender in this league."
All the Smith and his teammates can do now is focus on using this experience to further motivate them for next season.
"I think guys wanted it,'' he reasoned. "I don't think it was ever about effort.
"It was just about sometimes doing the right thing in games that mean so much.
"I've talked to you guys all season about the little plays that maybe don't get noticed that make the difference between winning and losing.
"That save at the right time. A blocked shot. Discipline.
"All those little things over the course of the season you look back on are probably why we're standing here and not in the playoffs.
"You watch the playoff games and how important every little play is and definitely that mentality has to get better as we move forward.
"This year was a little too short. We'll try and improve on it next year."