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Mike Smith activated from injured reserve

Phoenix Coyotes v Florida Panthers

SUNRISE, FL - DECEMBER 20: Goaltender Mike Smith #41 of the Phoenix Coyotes rolls on the ice after being injured in the third period against of the Florida Panthers on December 20, 2011 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Coyotes defeated the Panthers 2-1. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

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Things are moving quickly for Phoenix goaltender Mike Smith today. Not only was Smith activated by the team from injured reserve, but he was immediately put into the lineup to start against the Blues in St. Louis. The Coyotes aren’t exactly easing him back into the fold, are they?

Mike Smith hasn’t played since December 20th when he hurt his groin in the 3rd period of a game against the Florida Panthers. After winning the first game without Smith, the Coyotes have limped to a 1-3-1 record over their last five games. Nothing against Jason LaBarbara or Curtis McElhinney, but the team that is built on strong team defense and solid goaltending could use Smith back between the pipes.

Smith had been one of the good stories of the early season before falling to the injury bug. His strong play behind one of the best defensive systems in the league has helped the Coyotes raise a few eyebrows in the early going. After the mini-slump with Smith out of the lineup, they need to put their foot back on the gas if they want to compete for one of those last playoff spots in the Western Conference.