It could be the defining moment in the Phoenix Coyotes regular season. On Monday, against the New York Rangers, Phoenix goalie Mike Smith left the game late in the third period with a lower-body injury.
Rangers’ forward Derick Brassard fell on top of Smith during a scramble in front of the Phoenix net. Smith was writhing in pain on the ice. The injury to Smith forced Thomas Greiss into the game. The Coyotes lost 4-3 in overtime.
There was no update from Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett on Smith after the game, other than it was a lower-body injury and that he was still being evaluated, as per Sarah McLellan of azcentral sports.
All Tippett says post-game is lower-body injury for Smith and he's still being evaluated. Said he'll know more later on tonight.
— Sarah McLellan (@sarah__mclellan) March 25, 2014
Don't know anything definitive on #Coyotes G Mike Smith at this point. Did see him walking without help, but with a limp in his right leg.
— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) March 25, 2014
The loss of Smith could make qualifying for the playoffs an extra difficult task for the Coyotes, who only lead the ninth-place Dallas Stars by just a single point after tonight’s results.
The Coyotes got the single point, however the Stars also moved closer to that final Western Conference Wild Card spot with a 2-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. The Stars also have one game in hand.
Smith, 32, has appeared in 62 games this season, with 27 wins, a .915 save percentage and 2.64 goals-against average.