No official word from the Tampa Bay Lightning about the problem with the left knee of goaltender Mike Smith, but it is clear Smith will not play Monday against the Hurricanes at the St. Pete Times Forum. Dan Ellis will get the start with Cedrick Desjardins, called up Monday from AHL Norfolk and sitting on the bench for the first time in an NHL jersey, as backup.

"You're always prepared for something like this," Ellis said. "It's part of being a two-man tandem. At any time anything can happen. You just have to be ready to jump in there, so it's part of the job, and like I said, you're always ready."

Smith, 28, was set to make his third straight start after two solid outings. But teammate Simon Gagne apparently clipped Smith's left skate with his own skate and twisted Smith's knee. Desjardins just happened to be called up Monday for a long-planned week of work with goaltenders coach Frantz Jean and to soak up some NHL atmosphere. He had not been expected to play or even get on the bench.