The Arizona Coyotes announced goaltender Mike Smith underwent surgery to repair a core muscle injury Tuesday, and will miss 8-to-10 weeks.
Smith was placed on injured reserve Saturday with what was then described as a lower-body injury. The 33-year-old has had another inconsistent season, sporting a 10-9-1 record with a 3.16 goals against average and a .901 save percentage this season.
"We expect him back, 100 percent healthy, hopefully before the end of the season," general manager Don Maloney said. "It had been lingering for a little while and it got to the point where he couldn't play anymore."
Despite Smith's up-and-down play, this news comes as a huge blow to the Coyotes' playoff chances as the team is currently tied with the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks for second in the Pacific, with the last-place Anaheim Ducks only three points behind.
Maloney said Anders Lindback - whose numbers are similar to Smith's - will step into the starter's role but noted the team will be looking at options to bolster the position, according to Coyotes reporter Sarah McLellan.
The team surprisingly passed on claiming Ducks goalie Anton Khudobin, whom successfully cleared waivers earlier Tuesday.
Louis Domingue, 23, will serve as the backup for now after being recalled from the AHL's Portland Pirates. He has appeared in seven NHL games, all coming last season.
