Oilers’ Mike Smith Day-to-Day After Suffering Injury

The Edmonton Oilers were dealt a somewhat scary blow on Tuesday night as goaltender Mike Smith left the game versus the Anaheim Ducks with what appeared to be an injury. It wasn’t clear what the injury was or when he suffered, but he left the contest with the Oilers down a goal and didn’t return.

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The Oilers ended up pulling out a victory and Mikko Koskinen successfully came in to relieve Smith, but there were questions afterward about how Smith was doing. Head coach Dave Tippett said, “Just tweaked something. He didn’t want to hurt it any worse. Lower body injury. Day to day.” That’s good news for Oilers fans who know a serious injury to Smith would be problematic.

The Oilers beat the Ducks but lost Mike Smith to a potential injury.https://t.co/zmo4VcBQEo

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 20, 2021

Smith will see a doctor on Wednesday morning just to be sure nothing is required long-term and whether or not the Oilers will need to call up AHL goaltender Stuart Skinner for the upcoming road trip.

Koskinen looked good in relief getting his first action on the season. Smith had been stellar for the Oilers up to Tuesday night and while he was fine again, he allowed four goals against. Some were surprised Tippett didn’t pull Smith after the fourth Anaheim goal, but in fairness, most of the goals against were not Smith’s fault. Smith allowed four goals on 15 shots.

Even if Smith is good to go, Koskinen will likely get the call when the Oilers take on the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday evening in the first game of a back-to-back. If Smith is fine, he might play Friday.

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