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Goalie nods: Smith tries to stay in Coyotes’ goalie picture

Arizona Coyotes v Dallas Stars

DALLAS, TX - NOVEMBER 20: Mike Smith #41 of the Arizona Coyotes talks with an official during a stop in the action against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center on November 20, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)

NHLI via Getty Images

All the latest from the blue paint …

Mike Smith’s chance at redemption

Let’s face it: if Devan Dubnyk and Mike Smith made the same amount of money, there probably wouldn’t be much of a debate regarding which goalie would be getting most of the Arizona Coyotes’ starts right now.

The bottom line is that Smith is carrying a whopping $5.667 million cap hit through the 2018-19 season while Dubnyk’s $800K deal will expire after this season, so the Coyotes are in a tough spot.

Smith could make the situation less uncomfortable if he improves his play. At some point, dollars won’t matter more than numbers, especially the disparity between Smith’s stats (4-10-1, .890 save percentage) and Dubnyk’s superior work (5-0-1, .926 save percentage).

Sunday represents a big opportunity (and challenge) for Smith as he’s getting the nod against the Anaheim Ducks.

As usual, the Ducks haven’t provided a confirmation one way or another, but Frederik Andersen seems likely to face Smith and the Coyotes.

Elsewhere ...

Blues at Jets: It looks like it will be Jake Allen against Ondrej Pavelec, but neither have been confirmed.

Canadiens at Rangers: Playoff rematch of Dustin Tokarski vs. Henrik Lundqvist.

Blackhawks at Canucks: Corey Crawford’s likely vs. Ryan Miller.