Mike Smith will be back in net to start for the Edmonton Oilers when they face the Colorado Avalanche in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final on Thursday, head coach Jay Woodcroft confirmed to media members on Thursday.
Woodcroft declined to name a starter for Game 2 on Wednesday, one day after Smith was replaced by Mikko Koskinen in an 8-6 loss in the series opener.
Smith allowed six goals on 25 shots, while Koskinen gave up one goal on 21 shots in relief.
Smith also was replaced by Koskinen after getting hooked early in a 9-6 loss to the Calgary Flames in the series opener in the previous round. The Oilers went back to Smith for Game 2 and then won four in a row to take the series.
The Oilers have lost Game 1 in each of the first three rounds.
