With only minutes left in the game and up a goal, Phoenix goalie Mike Smith was injured when Derrick Brassard fell on him. Even though there was no intent to injure and even though Brassard was pushed slightly by Morris, he was still in the crease and it was surprising that no penalty was called on the play.
Smith appeared to injure his right leg and was flailing around on the ice in what appeared to be an excruciating amount of pain. He was helped off the ice and obviously he did not return.
Based on Smith's reaction I would be shocked if he returned to play any time soon. The Coyotes - now just a point up after a Dallas win coupled with tonight's OT loss - have to be prepared to play the rest of this season without their star goalie and best/ most important player.
More tomorrow morningish.
The Rangers and the Coyotes are about to take the ice for tonight's rare early start (for Phoenix). The Rangers will be dressing Lundquivst and the Coyotes will once again start the NHL's busiest goalie, Mike Smith.
Scratched for the Coyotes tonight are Schlemko, Gormely, Bissonnette and Korpikoski. The first three are healthy scratches and Korpikoski is out with a "upper body injury." He was, however, "hit in the face with a puck," so I am not sure why they even bother with the euphemisms.
Entering the game the Coyotes are two points ahead of Dallas for the final playoff spot. The Stars face-off tonight against the Jets.
Before the game starts tonight the Rangers will be honoring Lundqvist with a ceremony for becoming the franchise's all-time leader in wins. It is quite apparent that no one besides me remembers that there used to be ties in hockey and as such a record like this is not really that big of a deal. It's nice and all, but Mike Richter is still - if not technically - the winningest goalie in NYR franchise history.
These two teams haven't faced each other since early in the season when the Coyotes beat the Rangers 4-1.
Sorry for the brevity, I'll be back after the game to discuss it. Twitter:Coyotes1234