Mike Smith will tend goal for the Phoenix Coyotes when they visit the Maple Leafs in Toronto tonight. Smith, who has been solid for the Coyotes this season, grew up in Ontario, not far from Toronto, but admits he never cared for the Maple Leafs. A lot of my good friends growing up were big Leafs fans, so I always gave them the gear - Montreal had way more Cups than them," he said. "Growing up as a kid in that area, (former Canadien) Patrick Roy was the best goalie at that time." Smith, who grew up in Kingston, Ontario, said Roy was his first inspiration: "Oh, absolutely, a guy that changed goaltending forever. He butterflied, one of the first goalies that did that, did it well."

Mike Smith made 31 saves to shutout the San Jose Sharks 3-0. Smith has been great this season, finally living up to his starters potential. His biggest issue in his tenure with Tampa was his health, but now that doesn't seem to be a problem. If he keeps this up he could arguably considered the steal of the draft.

Mike Smith set aside 33 shots, but it wasn't enough as Phoenix fell to Montreal on Thursday, 3-2 in overtime. The loss snapped Smith's four-game winning streak, but still, fantasy owners who took a chance on the 29-year-old can't be complaining as he's 5-1-1 in his last seven starts and hasn't had below a .900 save percentage in a single game in over two weeks. Fantasy owners could be doing worse than using Smith as a No.2 option in net.

Mike Smith made 24 saves in the Coyotes 4-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers. Smith has been impressive so far, showing the starter potential he flashed in Dallas all those years ago. He's now 6-2-2 with a 2.38 GAA and a 0.927 save percentage, making Smith a steal. Injuries were a huge concern when he was Tampa's starter, but hopefully the 29 year old has turned the corner and is ready to be a legitimate starting netminder like everyone anticipated he would be.

Mike Smith was dazzling Wednesday night, blocking 39 shots in Phoenix's 4-1 victory over the Avalanche in Colorado. Smith is on an impressive roll. He has gone 4-0-1 in his past five appearances. He blocked 37 shots in Phoenix's 3-2 overtime win over the Los Angeles Kings last Saturday night. He also has very good numbers against Colorado, with a 3-1-1 record against the Avs in his career. Smith, 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, drew skepticism after replacing Ilya Bryzgalov as the Coyotes' goalie entering this season, but he should be silencing his critics with his accomplishments so far in 2011-12 and is definitely a strong fantasy option in net. If you can, get him now, while he's hot.

Mike Smith is projected to start against Colorado on Wednesday night. Smith has gone 3-0-1 in his past four appearances between the pipes for Phoenix to boost his overall record to 4-2-2 this season. In his career against the Avalanche he is 3-1-1 with a 1.70 goals-against average.

Mike Smith was outstanding turning aside 37 Kings' shots in Phoenix's 3-2 overtime win Saturday night. He, along with Radim Vrbata, were the reason the Coyotes were able to eke out the victory. Smith now has a very respectable 4-2-2 record with a 2.57 GAA and a .919 SP. For those who were skeptical about Smith in Phoenix, perhaps you need to think again.

Mike Smith stopped 31 of 34 shots as his Phoenix Coyotes defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-3 Thursday. Smith pushed his record to 3-2-2 with the victory as he has been fairly solid overall for the Coyotes in the early going. His save percentage of .914 and his 2.68 GAA haven't been Bryzgalov-like for the Coyotes, but then again Ilya Bryzgalov has not played well in Philadelphia this season either. Smith is the Coyotes top goalie at this time and makes a good third goalie in deep pools.

He didn't get the win, but Phoenix's starter stopped 34 shots in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars. Many people wondered if the Coyotes were making the right choice when they replaced Ilya Bryzgalov with Mike Smith, but the big goalie is settling in quite nicely so far. Tuesday represented one of his best efforts to date, even if his team fell short in the skills competition. He's at least worth an addition to your "watch list" if you're weak in the goaltending category.

Mike Smith was beaten four times on 33 shots Sunday as Phoenix hung on for a 5-4 victory over the Ducks. Given the task of starting the majority of the Coyotes' games thus far, Smith has posted a 2-2-1 record with a .907 save percentage and 2.80 GAA. Those certainly aren't numbers that you'll write home about, but he is a serviceable second or third goalie in fantasy leagues.