Mike Smith gets redemption in back-to-back wins over Edmonton

By Jesse Bonello

Nov 25, Edmonton Oilers right wing Jordan Eberle tries to shoot the puck as Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith defends during the second period at Gila River Arena. Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona’s Nov. 23 game against the Vancouver Canucks saw goaltender Mike Smith get pulled after allowing four goals on just 17 shots. Fast forward five days and Smith is this weekends’ MVP for Arizona.

The Coyotes won back-to-back close games against the Oilers, and Smith stopped 73 of Edmontons’ 76 shots.

After both wins, the Coyotes have recorded at least a point in their last 25 games against Edmonton. The Yotes are 21-0-4 in those 25 games.

Connor McDavid turned 14 only 2 days after the last time the Oilers beat the Coyotes in regulation.

— Ian McLaren (@iancmclaren) November 27, 2016

Coyotes G Mike Smith raises SP% to .923 this season (205 of 222). In November, since returning from left-leg injury, it’s .932 (151 of 162).

— Craig Morgan (@craigsmorgan) November 27, 2016

Since returning from injury, Mike Smith has a 3-1-1 record and has made more than 30 saves in each of those three wins.

The Coyotes are still in last place in the Western Conference, but there’s only five points separating the last-place Yotes from the second wild-card spot in the West.

The Coyotes will look to extend their two-game winning streak on Tuesday night when they head to San Jose to take on the Sharks.

With a goal in yesterday’s win, Radim Vrbata is now tied with Max Domi for the team scoring lead with 14 points.

Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski are tied for San Jose’s team scoring lead with 20 points apiece.

The Sharks are 6-3-1 in their last ten games.

Tuesday nights’ game will start at 10 p.m. EST.