Oilers' Smith moving on from past struggles: I’ve been playing 'solid hockey'

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith is getting hot at the perfect time.

Smith became the sixth goaltender in NHL history to record consecutive shutouts at age-40 or older on Saturday. He made 39 saves against the Vegas Golden Knights after stopping all 30 shots he faced against the Nashville Predators on Thursday.

Dominik Hasek and Johnny Bowers each accomplished the feat twice, while Martin Brodeur, Dwayne Roloson, and George Hainsworth each did it once.

"At this time of the season, you want to be on the top of your game and be a big reason why you're headed to the playoffs and in the playoffs and playing your best games to give the team the best chance to win," Smith said.

"That's all I've been focused on. I'm not dwelling on what's happened before or in the past. That's out of my control now, so I've been focused on my next game and I've really been working hard to get it back on the rails and feel like my last month or so I've been really playing some solid hockey."

The veteran netminder has been in and out of the Oilers' lineup all season long due to injury. Prior to the six-game win streak he's currently on, Smith appeared in 19 contests and struggled mightily, owning a .896 save percentage and 3.41 goals against average over that stretch.

On the season, Smith now has a 13-9-2 record with a .911 save percentage and 2.91 goals against average. The Oilers are in second place in the Pacific Division with a 44-26-6 record.

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