Coyotes' Mike Smith blanks Oilers in 1st appearance in 3 months

Mike Smith didn't miss a beat in his first appearance in the Arizona Coyotes' cage after more than three months of inaction Saturday in Edmonton, making 44 saves on Oilers shooters to record his second shutout of the season.

His 44 saves - which serves as the second-most required for a clean sheet among goalies this season - came 40 games after having to undergo surgery to repair an abdominal muscle.

It was the 29th shutout of his career, and helped Arizona extend its 22-game point streak over the Oilers - dominance that extends nearly five years.

Viktor Tikhonov, Antoine Vermette, and Alex Tanguay scored for the Coyotes, who will return home after taking four points in two nights, and five in total on their four-game road swing.