The odds suggest the Oilers aren’t in grave danger of missing the playoffs despite a lousy couple of games. Of course, that’s not a certainty.

Provided those projections do hold up, however, it’s evident they aren’t going anywhere in the postseason with the type of goaltending that’s on the roster.

Mike Smith has been dreadful in his last two starts culminating with Wednesday’s performance against the Lightning.

First, he was pulled after allowing four goals on seven shots against the Wild on Sunday. Yes, there were high-quality chances that turned into goals, but the Oilers could have used a stop from their goalie and couldn’t get one.

Then, he was arguably worse against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, a matchup the Oilers lost 5-3 despite being the better team.

Smith looked out of sorts on the first three goals he surrendered.

The first Tampa Bay tally was a rebound that went off teammate Devin Shore and in. It was an unlucky break, but one to which Smith was slow to react. Former Oilers forward Pat Maroon got credit.

The second was a turn-and-fire attempt in the last minute of the opening frame from Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, a shot that ricocheted off Oilers blueliner William Lagesson. The deflection didn’t help, but Smith wasn’t square to the Stamkos try in the slightest.

Check out this scathing critique from former pro goaltender and analyst Mike McKenna:

Neither Lagesson nor Markus Niemelainen fended off Brayden Point in front on the third Lightning marker, but Smith was off his post and didn’t put up much of a fight.

The Oilers outshot and out-attempted the Lightning. They had more of the quality chances at five-on-five. They pushed hard after entering the third period down two goals. Connor McDavid narrowed the deficit to one courtesy of his second tally of the game before Leon Draisaitl hit the post late. A goal would have tied the game and given Draisaitl a four-point night.

With their superstars flying, the Oilers probably should have won.

The Athletic

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