Mike Smith saved 39 of 43 shots in a 5-4 victory Wednesday. Smith allowed two goals by 9:39 of the first period, but he settled down after that. He has now won two of his last three starts, giving him a 31-17-8 record this season.

Mike Smith kicked out 31 of 35 shots in regulation in a 5-4 shootout loss. Smith surrendered two goals on 13 shots in the second period. He also allowed one goal in three shootout rounds.

Mike Smith halted his three-game losing streak with a shutout of the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night, as the Phoenix Coyotes won 3-0. In actuality, the netminder hadn't won in four starts (he was removed in his last start not even four minutes in, but backup Jason LaBarbera ended up the loser). Smith was superb Saturday, kicking away 42 shots, 17 of them coming in a spirited third period for the Sharks. It was his fifth shutout of the year. He's the key to Phoenix's playoff run.

Mike smith will be back between the pipes on Saturday when the Coyotes play San Jose. Smith got a rare night off Thursday as coach Dave Tippett went with backup Jason LaBarbera in goal. "He's got to jump back in," Tippett said of Smith. Smith has had the best season of his career thus far as he is 29-17-7 with a 2.32 GAA and a .925 save percentage making him a late number one fantasy goalie.

Mike Smith was pulled in Tuesday's loss against the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets. The turn of the calendar to March hasn't been kind to the Phoenix Coyotes and Smith probably needs a little break. Backup netminder Jason LaBarbera replaced him just 4:54 in and after facing only seven shots.

Mike Smith allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Coyotes' 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins Monday night. Smith dropped his third straight game allowing two goals on the night but still managed to receive the third star for his effort. What more can be said about Smith who has been one of biggest steal of fantasy this season as it's likely there were quite a few leagues where he wasn't even drafted. Another reason to stay active on the waiver wire.

Mike Smith suffered the loss while making only 21 saves in the Phoenix Coyotes' 5-2 setback to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night. After winning 11 straight, the keeper has now dropped two in a row while giving up seven goals (four coming Saturday as the last was an empty-netter). Oddly enough, Smith had yielded one short-handed goal all season but has now two against over his last two games. Phoenix is clinging to first place in the Pacific Division with 75 points and Smith's play will ultimately determine their playoff fate.

Mike Smith finally lost on Thursday night, making 27 saves in the Phoenix Coyotes' 4-2 defeat to the Calgary Flames. The netminder had won 11 straight games (allowed only 16 goals), and the Yotes had earned points in 12 straight, so this was bound to happen sooner or later. Smith allowed three of the four markers as the final one was an empty-net goal. The key will be that Smith shrugs this one off and bounces back to regain the form he had in February. The unbelievable February stretch has given Phoenix the Pacific Division lead, but the Western Conference is so tight that it could all be for naught with a few bad games. Smith has emerged as a solid No. 1 option in fantasy leagues.

Mike Smith has been named the NHL's first star of February. He emerged victorious in all 11 of his starts, to post a franchise record, while turning aside 315 of the 331 shots he faced en route to an impressive 1.42 goals-against average and an outstanding .952 save percentage. The Phoenix Coyotes launched themselves from 12th place in the Western Conference to start to the month to the Pacific Division lead and third place. The goaltender's fantasy owners have to be thrilled with his unexpected success this campaign.

The Phoenix Coyotes are the hottest team in the NHL and Mike Smith might just be the hottest goalie. Smith won his 11th consecutive game as the Coyotes edged the Vancouver Canucks 2-1 via the shootout. The big goalie has been arguably the biggest steal of fantasy as it's likely there were quite a few leagues where he wasn't even drafted.