National Hockey League

Tampa Bay G Mike Smith gets first playoff start

Published May. 23, 2011 9:44 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Tampa Bay goalie Mike Smith is starting a playoff game for the first time in his career.

Smith replaced Dwayne Roloson, who started the first four games, in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Bruins on Monday night.

Smith was a midgame replacement on two other occasions during the series. On Saturday, he took over with 2:02 left in the first period and the Lightning went on to a 5-3 win that tied the series at 2. Roloson allowed three goals on nine shots. Smith stopped all 21 shots he faced.

In the regular season, he had a 2.90 goals against average in 22 games, including 20 starts. A rookie with Dallas in 2006, he was traded to Tampa Bay in February 2008.

share

Get more from National Hockey League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Hockey League