Coyotes’ Mike Smith sent back to Phoenix for further evaluation on lower body injury
Oct 20, 2016, 2:53 PM
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
In a scary moment in Tuesday night’s loss at Ottawa, Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith left the ice after making a save in which he contorted his body in an awkward fashion.
As our own Craig Morgan pointed out, Smith appeared to injure his left leg on the play. He was replaced by Louis Domingue.
Head coach Dave Tippett said Wednesday that Smith was considered day-to-day, but the veteran was sent back to Phoenix Thursday for further evaluation of the injury.
#Coyotes G Mike Smith returning to Phoenix as we speak for another opinion regarding his lower body injury. Remains "day to day."
— Todd Walsh (@ToddWalsh) October 20, 2016
“We decided to send him back to consult with our doctors there, so they’ll continue to evaluate where he’s at. He was in good spirits this morning, we’ll just see where it goes from there,” Tippett said following Thursday morning’s skate in Montreal.
After Thursday night’s game against the Canadiens, the Coyotes have four games remaining on their eastern road trip, which wraps up next Thursday, Oct. 27 in Philadelphia.
Domingue will man the position until Smith can return. He gave up three goals on 11 shots in relief of Smith against the Senators, but fared well last season when called upon to start. The 24-year-old had a 15-18-5 record last season while posting a .912 save percentage and a 2.75 GAA.
Justin Peters, a 30-year-old veteran with 68 NHL games on his résumé, was recalled from the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League on Wednesday.