Smith was pulled after allowing two goals on the first three shots that he faced in the Coyotes 4-3 loss to the Canucks last Friday. Remember when I said his hot start wouldn’t last? This is what I was talking about. He lasted just 4:26 before taking a seat. He will look to redeem himself tonight when he takes on the 4-7-1 Avalanche.
As many feared, McDavid did in fact suffer a broken collarbone on Tuesday night and will miss multiple months. McDavid will undergo surgery on Wednesday, but it sounds like he will be back in the lineup before the end of the 2015-16 season. The best case scenario appears to be that McDavid will miss 8-12 weeks, which could have him back in the lineup in mid-to-late January, but it could be much longer.
McDavid crashed hard into the end boards late in the second period and got up clutching his shoulder. It was a heavy collision and the Oilers should provide the media with an update following the contest or on Wednesday.
Smith allowed six goals in the Coyotes’ 6-0 loss in Boston on Wednesday. It was Smith’s second game in as many nights so it is hard to fault him. Smith Has posted a 2.97 GAA and .908 SV% in nine starts this season—he comes in having lost five of his last six and makes for a risky start tonight vs. Vancouver.
Draisaitl, 20, has been recalled because the Oilers are in need of a top-6 forward. Draisaitl has scored one goal with one assist in six games with Bakersfield and many reports suggest that Draisaitl has been the Condors’ best forward this season. He is expected to make his season debut tonight on a line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall.
Smith allowed three goals on 27 shots in the Coyotes win over the Maple Leafs last night. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for Smith, who will start again tonight in Boston. The Bruins currently rank third in the NHL in goals (3.86 G/PG), so it won’t be an easy night for Smith on a back-to-back.
Nurse has registered one assist in six games with Bakersfield this season and has been recalled after the Oilers placed Griffin Reinhart (undisclosed) on IR. Nurse could make his season debut on Tuesday vs. the Wild.
Smith allowed three goals on 27 shots in the Coyotes loss in New York on Thursday. After starting the first seven games of the season, Smith was given Saturday night off, but he will get back in goal tonight in Toronto. He started the season with three consecutive wins, but has dropped his last four games while posting a 4.09 GAA and .875 SV%.
Ekholm has one goal and two assists in eight games this season. He is not usually known for producing offensively, having recorded just 30 points (9G / 21A) in 153 career games.
Smith allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Coyotes loss in New Jersey on Tuesday. Smith started the season with three straight wins, but he has now lost his last three. Over the three-game losing streak, he has posted a 4.51 GAA and .871 SV%. He will be in tough tonight vs. Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers.
Smith allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Coyotes loss in New Jersey on Tuesday. Smith started the season with three straight wins, but he has now lost his last three. Over the three-game losing streak, he has posted a 4.51 GAA and .871 SV%. He will be in tough tonight vs. Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers.
Smith surrendered five goals on 43 shots in the Coyotes loss to the Bruins on Saturday. After starting the season 3-0, Smith has now lost back-to-back starts while giving up eight goals on 60 shots (.867 SV%). However, he has a chance to get back on track tonight as he draws a great matchup vs. the anemic Devils.
Smith was pulled after allowing three goals on 17 shots in the Coyotes loss to the Wild on Thursday. Smith, who was very impressive in his first three starts, struggled starting on back-to-back nights. He will get back between the pipes tonight against the Bruins. The Bruins offence has been clicking this season, but their defence has been suspect.
Koekkoek, 21, is expected to be in the lineup for the Lightning on Saturday vs. Buffalo. Tampa Bay lost two defensemen in Thursday’s loss to the Stars. Victor Hedman went down with an injury and Nikita Nesterov was suspended for two games. Koekkoek was the 10th overall pick in 2012, but has just three NHL games under his belt since. He had 26 points (5G / 21A) in 72 games with Syracuse last season.
Smith has been sensational to start the season. After a troubling 2014-15 campaign, Smith has started this year off 2-0-0 while stopping 67 of 69 shots (.971 SV%) vs. the Kings and Penguins. He draws another tough matchup on Wednesday vs. Anaheim—a team that he played well against last year—1-3-0, 2.22 GAA, .936 SV%.
Smith stopped 40 of 41 shots that he faced in the Coyotes win over the Kings last night. What a great start to the season for Smith, who had the worst season of his career last year. Smith is the Coyotes clear No. 1 netminder which is why the Coyotes will turn to him again in tonight’s difficult matchup with the Penguins.
Smith stopped 40 of 41 shots that he faced in the Coyotes win over the Kings last night. What a great start to the season for Smith, who had the worst season of his career last year. Smith is the Coyotes clear No. 1 netminder which is why it looks like the Coyotes will turn to him again in tonight’s difficult matchup with the Penguins.
2014-15 was a season to forget for Mike Smith. He won just 14 of his 62 games and posted a career-worst 3.16 GAA with a .904 SV%. The good news? He can’t possibly be that bad again and you probably got him on the cheap. His bounce-back season will start tonight against the Kings—who he was 0-2-0 with a 2.54 GAA and .927 SV% against a season ago.
