TAMPA - Mike Smith remains off the ice, but it continues to sound as if his vacancy from Tampa Bay’s net won’t last long.

Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said on Thursday the hope is Smith might be ready to return - barring any set backs - at some point on the up-coming three-game road trip which begins Saturday at Florida.

Smith suffered a cervical strain after being plowed into by Washington’s Brooks Laich and after he stayed on the ice for several moments, the fear was Smith could have suffered another concussion, which ended his season last year. That doesn’t appear to be the case with this latest incident.

Smith stayed in the game but left during the second period with a 4-2 lead.

“I talked to (Smith) today and I’m not worried,” Tocchet said. “It wasn’t a concussion and I think he’ll be fine. After the game (Tuesday) I was kind of worried about it being the same thing (as last year), but no. It’s too bad because he’s been playing good hockey for us.
“But he’ll get a little rest, he’ll be back and he should be fine.”

Tocchet did say, however, that the team could not say for “100 percent” that it’s not a concussion, but added “I’m pretty confident that it isn’t”

Smith was not immediately available to comment, but Lightning team trainer said Smith has not shown any signs of a concussion to this point.

“There are no headaches, no memory loss, no fatigue and right now it’s just neck pain,” Mulligan said. “I know there’s been some talk that he stumbled (a couple of times on the ice after the hit) but he had an issue with his skates.”

While symptoms of a concussion can sometimes begin to show well after the fact, according to Mulligan, there is no indication at this point that Smith suffered another concussion.

“We continue to do a lot of stretching with him, some massage and chiropractic work,” Mulligan. “This is something that, literally, is a day-to-day thing.”

While Smith may not have a concussion, defenseman Matt Smaby did suffer one when he fell into the boards in Philadelphia on Saturday, Tocchet revealed.

Smaby also suffered a mild concussion early this season while on a conditioning assignment with Norfolk of the American Hockey League.

It doesn’t appear as if Smaby will miss much time.

“I had my psyche test and passed that, my symptoms are gone and it’s just a matter of getting my body back into shape,” Smaby said. “I worked out a little bit (Wednesday), nothing hard, and today will be my first real time I’ll push my body hard.”

TIC EN ROUTE: With Smith out for tonight’s game, G Dustin Tokarski was on his way to Tampa and will dress as the backup to Antero Niittymaki against Florida.

Tokarski was in net for Norfolk during Wednesday’s victory 4-3 against Hershey. This will be the first regular season game that Tokarski, who won a gold medal with Canada at the 2009 World Junior championships, will dress in the NHL.

FRIDGE HEATING UP: Injured LW todd Fedoruk, out since suffering a knee injury on Dec. 23, is just awaiting medical clearance before being ready to return to action.

Fedoruk has been back skating with the team since Jan. 7 and went through a full practice with the team on Wednesday.

“I feel like I’m ready,” Fedoruk said. “I did a couple of tests where I see how much power I have to push off, and the last couple of times it’s felt good.”

Fedoruk is scheduled to see team doctors before tonight’s game.