Report: Oilers Going Back To Mike Smith For Game 2

After the Game 1 bombardment that had him yanked early in the 2nd period, Mike Smith will apparently be back between the pipes for the Edmonton Oilers for Game 2 against the Colorado Avalanche, as reported by TSN's Darren Dreger. 

Strong indication Mike Smith will start for the Oilers tonight in game 2. No surprise.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 2, 2022

Smith has been the Oilers' regular starter throughout their playoff run, and thus far holds an 8-3 mark with a 3.12 GAA and a .917 save percentage, plus two shutouts. However, after surrendering 6 goals in 25 minutes in Game 1, he was pulled in favour of Mikko Koskinen, who allowed two goals the rest of the way.

Smith was realistic after Game 1. “When you’re on the bench halfway through the game, it’s not a good sign. When you’re giving up touchdowns in the last two series in Game 1, I think that’s not a good sign. But I think it shows a lot of our team that when we’re down, we’re not out of the fight, and continue to battle right to the end and play for each other."

The 40-year-old is in his 16th NHL season, his 3rd with the Oilers.

Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports