Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith says he'll be available to play Wednesday night against the St. Louis Blues after being out more than two months with an undisclosed injury.
"I'm available."
No confirmed starter for tomorrow in St. Louis yet, but some good news from #Oilers skate today with Smith indicating he's ready to return. pic.twitter.com/KgTaqSrsNf— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) December 28, 2021
"It's honestly been one of the most difficult injuries of my career," said Smith, who exited during the Oilers' third game of the season on Oct. 19 and hasn't played since.
"It's not like it's been life-threatening by any means. It's just been a nagging thing that's kept me from being able to do what I need to do. That's been the most frustrating part. I've been close a few times and had setbacks and not felt myself. I'm to the point now where it's not perfect either but nothing's been perfect throughout the course of my career so it's just something else I have to deal with. Hopefully I can come back in the lineup and play some good hockey."
The 39-year-old Smith said he was dealing with the injury since the start of the year, but it eventually got to a point where he couldn't play "up to the capabilities I needed to play."
The native of Kingston, Ont., is 2-0 with a 3.08 goals-against average and .920 save percentage this season.
Mikko Koskinen and Stuart Skinner have split the goaltending duties in Smith's absence.
"I need to get back in a game now and see how it reacts," Smith said. "I've done enough work in practice that i just need to get in a game and see how it goes."
