Mike Smith leaves Sunday’s game with lower-body injury

The Calgary Flames battled to a big win on Sunday night in Brooklyn, but they may have also suffered a big loss. Goaltender Mike Smith left the game with 1.1 seconds remaining in the third period with an apparent lower body injury.

Smith appeared to suffer the injury with a lateral movement from left to right on an Islanders offensive zone rush. He attempted to move back to his left, but fell to the ice in obvious pain. He was tended to by the Flames training staff and was helped off the ice. David Rittich entered the game for the final 1.1 seconds.

Sportsnet commentator Jason York theorized on the broadcast that Smith had suffered a groin injury. On the post-game television broadcast, it was mentioned that Smith was seen walking around without assistance after the game.

Smith previously left a Nov. 13 game against St. Louis after the first period was what was thought to be a groin injury. He missed a single game – the 8-2 debacle of a loss to Detroit – before returning to regular duty. If Smith is unable to suit up on Tuesday in Boston, it seems likely that the Flames would summon Jon Gillies from the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat – their other AHL goaltender, Tyler Parsons, left tonight’s game in Milwaukee with an injury of his own.

We’ll have more information on Smith’s status as it becomes available.