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Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Mike Smith said he could have played Saturday if necessary
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Mike Smith characterized his injury as general soreness, and added that he could have played Saturday against the Hurricanes and "be fine." In fact, coach Rick Tocchet said he was going to play Antero Niittymaki against Carolina, anyway.
Don't you love it when a plan comes together like that?
"He's fine," Tocchet said of Smith. "I wanted to play Niitty. It wasn't because (Smith) is hurt. It's Niitty's turn." ... Read more
Mike Smith back in goal, Kurtis Foster back on defense for Tampa Bay Lightning
Just a couple of quick hits before getting on a plane to Ottawa.
Tampa Bay Lightning coach Rick Tocchet on Wednesday said Mike Smith will be back in goal Thursday against the Senators. Smith sat out the past two games in favor of Antero Niittymaki. Neither Smith nor Tocchet said Smith's absence had anything to do with Smith being sore after he was run over by Jamie Langenbrunner and teammate Ryan Malone in Thursday's game against the Devils. Tocchet has said it was just Niittymaki's turn to play.
And Niittymaki played well in winning both games. But Tocchet reiterated that Smith is still the team's No. 1 goalie and will play a lot. ... Read more
Antero Niittymaki starts in net for the Lightning Saturday against Pitt; Steve Downie promoted
The Tampa Bay Lightning had a late practice Friday after flying into Pittsburgh from Ottawa. The boys watched video of all their mistakes in Thursday's frightful 7-1 loss to the Senators and then had a spirited practice that focused on one-on-one battles and energized breakouts.
The changes that coach Rick Tocchet spoke of apparently are Antero Niittymaki replacing Mike Smith in goal and Steve Downie moving from the fourth line back up to right wing on a line with center Vinny Lecavalier and Alex Tanguay, both of whom have yet to score this season. ... Read more
Lightning's Alex Tanguay makes what G Mike Smith called the "classiest move I've ever seen."
Wrote a bit about this in today's story, but thought it was worth repeating here that Alex Tanguay passed up a chance for his first goal on Thursday night, when he passed to Steven Stamkos, who scored into an open net during the 5-2 victory over the Sharks.
Tanguay showed maturity and a real sense of self confidence there. It would have been easy for him to score, and who would have blamed him after going seven previous games without a goal and being demoted to the third line. But Tanguay gave it up to his young teammate and opened some eyes among teammates as to his character. ... Read more
Mike Smith will be in net for the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Sabres
Can't argue with success.
Tampa Bay Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said Mike Smith, who made 32 saves in Thursday's victory over the Sharks, will start Saturday against the Sabres. Tocchet also said the lineup will remain the same, meaning David Hale gets another start on defense and Kurtis Foster sits.
Give Hale some credit. He seemed a throw-in at the time, when he was acquired from the Coyotes in the Radim Vrbata deal. But he has forced Tocchet to give him playing time. ... Read more
Mike Smith starts in net for the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Coyotes; Mattias Ohlund hurt
In a bit of a surprise, given how well Antero Niittymaki has been playing, Mike Smith will get the start for the Tampa Bay Lightning Monday night against the Coyotes. Smith hasn't played since Nov. 2 against the Flyers, against whom he allowed five goals on 18 shots before being pulled after 27 minutes.
Niittymaki is 3-0-3 in his past seven games with a 1.60 goals-against average and a .950 save percentage. Yet, coach Rick Tocchet said it is time to give Smith a game. ... Read more
Tampa Bay Lightning finding ways to win despite not playing its best; Mike Smith stays in net
Okay, first the good news: the Tampa Bay Lightning is on a 3-0-1 road streak and is 6-1-4 in its past 11 games overall with points in 10. Now consider this: Tampa Bay has been outshot in eight straight games and in 13 of its past 14.
That points to a lot of good goaltending. But it also red flags a lack of offensive production, something that cannot last if the team is to sustain its success or get better. ... Read more
G Mike Smith excited to start against former team
Lightning goaltender Mike Smith said he didn't have tonight's game in Dallas circled before the season started, but that didn't mean he isn't excited to start in goal against his former team.
Smith, acquired from the Stars in the Brad Richards trade in February 2008, said it was a "little weird" returning to Dallas for the first time since the trade. But he had a lot of great memories from his experience in Dallas, from friends and teammates.
"I had a good couple years here in Dallas, met a lot of good people," Smith said. "I can't say enough about the organization. But it’s a big game for our team and hopefully we can keep the ball rolling."
... Read more
G Mike Smith excited to start against former team
Lightning goaltender Mike Smith said he didn't have tonight's game in Dallas circled before the season started, but that didn't mean he isn't excited to start in goal against his former team.
Smith, acquired from the Stars in the Brad Richards trade in February 2008, said it was a "little weird" returning to Dallas for the first time since the trade. But he had a lot of great memories from his experience in Dallas, from friends and teammates.
"I had a good couple years here in Dallas, met a lot of good people," Smith said. "I can't say enough about the organization. But it’s a big game for our team and hopefully we can keep the ball rolling."
... Read more
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