Oilers pull Mike Smith after allowing three quick goals vs. Flames

The Hockey Central panel highlight how Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith had a slow start against the Los Angeles Kings but battled back to have a good series and will be driven to do the same against the Calgary Flames.

Well, at least one team came ready to play.

The game was barely six minutes old, and the Calgary Flames had already lit the lamp three times in front of a raucous Saddledome — prompting the Edmonton Oilers to pull Mike Smith for Mikko Koskinen to kick off the Battle of Alberta.

The Flames struck on their very first shot of the game, courtesy of Elias Lindholm 26 seconds in. Just 25 seconds later Andrew Mangiapane put another past Smith and Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft opted to use his only timeout before the one-minute mark, but kept Smith in net.

Just over five minutes later, Brett Ritchie scored for Calgary to make it 3-0, and that was the last straw.

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It’s Koskinen’s first appearance so far this post-season. Smith played each game in Round 1 and entered Game 1 against the Flames with a .938 save percentage.

Shortly after changing goalies, Connor McDavid scored for the Oilers cut the lead to two.

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