Mike Smith returns to the Lightning net

Posted Nov 16, 2009 by Erik Erlendsson

Updated Nov 16, 2009 at 06:23 PM

GLENDALE, Ariz. - After a run of six consecutive starts, Antero Niittymaki will take a seat tonight when the Lightning visit Jobing.com Arena outside Phoenix tonight (9 p.m., no local television). For Mike Smith, it will be his first action since being pulled after allowing five goals on 19 shots in Philadelphia two weeks ago.

It hasn’t been an easy stretch for Smith, who was essentially the No. 1 starter entering the season. But some poor starts on the road this season has relegated Smith to more or less a backup role for the past month as Niittymaki had started seven of the past eight games, and for good reason. Entering Monday’s play Niittymaki ranked second in the league with a 1.93 goals against average (behind only Ryan Miller) and tied with Miller for the top spot with a .939 save percentage. Niittyamaki has lost one game in regulation and has allowed more than two goals three times in nine starts.

“It’s been tough watching,’’ said Smith, who has allowed five or more goals in three of his four road starts this season. “Obviously, Niitty has played unbelievable and it’s been fun watching him do so well, but you’d like to contribute to the team’s success and hopefully, I can do that tonight and get back to my ways that I know how to play.’‘

Smith said he has been more intense in practice the past two weeks in an attempt to get his game back in shape, something he said he doesn’t normally do during practice when he is playing more frequently.

“Just to battle on every puck,’’ Smith said of what he’s worked on. “I’ve been doing that all year but I think I was really more focused (in practice). In the past I’ve been more loose in practice and not maybe not focused on every puck. I think the last couple of weeks have been a battle for me in practice to just try to get everything out of it that I can so when I do get my chance I’m prepared and ready to go.’‘

OHLUND QUESTIONABLE: D Mattias Ohlund, who leads the team in ice time this season, will be a game-time decision after the 33-year-old suffered a lower-body injury during Saturday’s shootout loss to Los Angeles. The injury, believed to be in either his right foot or ankle, is not considered to be a serious situation. Ohlund took the morning skate, took part in some drills before speaking at length with team trainer Tom Mulligan. Shortly after that conversation, Ohlund left the ice to receive treatment.

If Ohlund is unable to play, D Kurtis Foster is expected to be in the lineup and paired with Lukas Krajicek.

IN YOUR FACE: LW Stephane Veilleux took a face full of shaving cream Monday morning, the subject of a practical joke to help celebrate his 29th birthday.

After the team had finished up some drills during the morning skate, Tocchet called the team over near the bench and announced that it was somebody’s birthday on the team. Just after that an unnamed culprit came up behind Veilleux and gave him a face-wash full of shaving cream.

“It was fun, that’s what birthday’s are for, to have fun,’’ Veilleux said. “It took me a couple of minutes to get it all off, that’s for sure. But it was a good set up, they got me pretty good.’’

HEADING DOWN: After appearing in three games, LW Ryan Craig was sent back down to Norfolk of the AHL on Monday. Craig was cleared re-entry waivers on Nov. 5 and had no points and five shots in his return. Because he was sent back down within 30 days of clearing waivers, Craig did not require clearing waivers to be reassigned.

The team also sent D Matt Smaby to Norfolk for a two-week conditioning assignment, the second conditioning stint for Smaby, who has yet to play a game for the Lightning this season. Smaby continues to get paid and counts against Tampa Bay’s roster and salary cap.

COMMISH: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly arrived in Glendale on Monday morning in preparation of a meeting with officials from the city to discuss reworking the lease agreement between the city and Jobing.com Arena. The league recently assumed control of the team after purchasing the team during a drawn-out legal battle and hope to find a buyer committed to keep the Coyotes in the Phoenix area and having a more attractive lease could make it easier to lure prospective buyers.

Bettman, meanwhile, was scheduled to meet with the media before Monday’s game to discuss the situation, and is also planning on speaking to the Tampa Bay media to offer some sort of an update on what is going on with the Lightning’s ownership situation. A 120-day window for either Oren Koules or Len Barrie to find a willing partner to but out the other is set to close on Nov. 23, although it is unclear at this time whether that window still exists or what might happen after that date if neither co-owner has come up with a viable plan to find a new majority owner.