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Flames' Smith: 'If I had a perfect game, I wouldn't have anything to work on'

Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

The Calgary Flames' new netminder is still working out a few kinks.

Acquired from the Arizona Coyotes in an offseason trade, Mike Smith made his preseason debut with the Flames on Monday, but came up short as he allowed four goals on just 13 shots. He finished the night with just under 29 minutes of ice time.

"If I had a perfect game, I wouldn't have anything to work on for the next couple of weeks," Smith told reporters following the 5-4 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. "It wasn't great, but it was nice to get in a game at least. I kind of have some stuff to work on, but like I said, get the jitters out, get used to a new team. I won't lose any sleep over it. I'll get back to work."

Smith, 35, is the latest goaltender to take over the Calgary crease after the recent failed experiments of Brian Elliott and Jonas Hiller, among others.

"The preseason, you can't look too deeply into it," Smith added. "You just want to get feeling good going into the first game, the ones that matter."

The Flames hope Smith can find his game in short order, with the club set to open the regular season Oct. 4 against the Oilers.

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