Mike Smith's status for Saturday's game against the Blackhawks will be determined prior to puck-drop. Smith skated with his teammates for 45 minutes on Friday, but coach Dave Tippett doesn't know whether he'll be able to suit up against Chicago. "That's a positive sign," Tippett said. "So we'll see where he's at (Saturday) morning." Chad Johnson would be the probable replacement in the event Smith isn't fit to dress for the contest.

Mike Smith (lower body) will travel with the Coyotes on their upcoming three-game road trip. He skated with his teammates briefly on Wednesday morning. Smith is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

Mike Smith missed Monday's game with a lower body injury. Consider the netminder day-to-day. He is looking for a long-term contract as he is eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 5. He has been spotty this season and has an overall record of 13-11-4 with a 2.60 GAA and a .909 save percentage.

Mike Smith stopped 20 of 22 shots through regulation but allowed Calgary's third shot of the extra frame to trickle in as Phoenix lost 3-2 but picked up a point Friday night. Friday night was the first time in four appearances Smith allowed more than one goal. The OT winner came with just 24 seconds remaining.

Mike Smith has been red-hot since coming back from his injury in April, and he could finish with the kind of run that will cost the Phoenix Coyotes - or some other team - a lot of money. He got the win on Wednesday, stopping 29 out of 30 shots as Phoenix beat Edmonton 3-1. Smith has only allowed two goals in his three games back, stopping 93 out of 95 shots. He's in a contract year, so he could finish really strong. The Coyotes need that, too, as a postseason berth is far from a guarantee.

Mike Smith only allowed one goal on 41 shots in the Coyotes 2-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. Smith has been sensational this season, putting together another Vezina worthy season despite his injury woes. The Coyotes offesne was no where to be found on this night, plus they were up against one of the hottest goalies in the league in Cory Schneider. Despite the lack of offensive talent around him, Smith gives the Coyotes a chance to win every night so keep playing him even though he won't likely give you many wins.

Mike Smith is still hoping to secure a new contract with the Phoenix Coyotes. Free agency will not start until July 5th this year, due to the length of the Stanley Cup playoffs and the Coyotes will have every chance to be able to re-sign their top netminder. "We'll see what happens, but that's out of my control right now," Smith said about signing a new deal. Stay tuned.

If the Phoenix Coyotes are going to secure a playoff spot in the Western Conference Mike Smith will play a significant role. Smith returned from an upper-body injury Saturday night and promptly delivered a 24-save shutout, reinforcing the fact he's a crucial key to the team's success. "It's going to be huge getting everybody back in the lineup, and we need everybody," Shane Doan said. "That's kind of what we've talked as a group all along is what makes us good is we count on so many guys." Smith's numbers on the season leave something to be desired, however it's important not to hold a small sample size against him.

Mike Smith made 24 saves for the shutout in his return to the Coyotes lineup on Saturday which brings the team to within two points of the final Western Conference playoff spot. Out with an upper-body injury since March 21, Smith got the job done with a great performance Saturday night. You can be sure he'll be at his best for the remainder of the regular season as Phoenix fights to sneak into the playoffs.

Mike Smith may return from his upper-body injury as soon as Saturday's match-up against Colorado. Jason LaBarbera will start for the Coyotes on Thursday night and Chad Johnson will back him up. Smith hasn't played since was run over by Vancouver defenseman Alexander Edler back on March 21.