Mike Smith earns NHL Third Star of the week honors
Oct 12, 2015, 5:52 PM
Arizona Coyotes' Mike Smith loses his stick but keeps an eye on the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Penguins 2-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Two games and two wins into the the Arizona Coyotes season, many storylines have focused on young guys and new pieces showing promise, but veteran Mike Smith’s play simply can’t be overlooked.
The goaltender now in his fifth year with the Coyotes has stopped 67 of 69 shots, holding the Los Angeles Kings and the Pittsburgh Penguins to one goal each.
The NHL took notice of Smith’s .971 save percentage in the Coyotes’ hot start and named him their Third Star of the week for the first week of the season. Smith has won the Third Star of the Week once before as well as first and second star. He was the First Star of the Month in February of 2012.
“I’m just trying to stay focused and do my job,” Smith said Monday on the Burns and Gambo show on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. “It’s important that I try and focus on what I’m supposed to do.”
That was as far as Smith would go in taking credit for the 2-0 start and made sure to point out what his teammates are doing.
“We’ve played a lot better in front of me to start the season which is nice to see,” Smith said.”I think we’ve got some great young talent who have come up and proved they can play in this league and contribute to our team. The older guys have led by example also. I think we have a good mix of players who have been there, done that, and young guys that have come in and are excited about playing in the NHL and know how hard it to win in this league now so I think we’re on the right path to hopefully a great year.”
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