It's only been five games, but Mike Smith has been playing at an incredibly high level since returning to game action for the Arizona Coyotes.
The veteran goalie, who was sidelined for over three months with a core muscle injury, has posted a record of 4-1-0, with a save percentage of .965.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Saves |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 12 | @ Edmonton | W 4-0 | 44 |
| March 17 | San Jose | W 3-1 | 27 |
| March 20 | @ San Jose | L 0-3 | 33 |
| March 22 | Edmonton | W 4-2 | 27 |
| March 26 | Philadelphia | W 2-1 | 34 |
Yes, two of those games came against lowly Edmonton, but San Jose is a playoff team, and Philadelphia is desperate to be one, which adds credence to the majority of those starts.
Considering Smith is the team's highest-paid player and remains under contract for three more seasons at a cap hit of $5,666,666, it must be heartening for the Coyotes to see some value being squeezed out of a major investment.
Keep in mind, backup Louis Domingue, who more than admirably held down the fort in Smith's absence, is set to become a restricted free agent at season's end, meaning more cap dollars will be slotted at the one position for the young, building club.
