After taking a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference Second Round against the Calgary Flames netminder Mike Smith says the Edmonton Oilers are growing in confidence in the Stanley Cup play-offs.
The Oilers are 2/11 to eliminate the Flames and are 13/2 to be crowned Stanley Cup champions for the first time since 1990.
Oilers recover after Smith slip
Veteran Smith was able to breathe a sigh of relief following a 5-3 victory in Game 4 after he allowed a 132-foot shot into the net with just over ten minutes remaining to tie the game 3-3.
Edmonton didn't panic, though, and were able to put themselves one win away from making the conference final for the first time since 2006.
Smith, 40, is playing in his 16th NHL season and sixth play-off campaign, his third with the Oilers. In 11 games this season, which included a Game 7 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in Round 1, Smith has recorded an impressive .931 save-percentage and 2.60 goals-against-average (GAA).
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Smith started 28 games in the regular season posting a .915 save-percentage and 2.81 GAA, helping the Oilers finish second in the Pacific Division (49-27-6) - they were seven points behind the Flames who finished first.
Game 5 of the series is in Calgary on Thursday.
Smith pleased with Oilers growth
Smith said to the media: "There has definitely been growth on this team, for sure. There is a confidence this team is playing with that we believe we can do some damage.
"Every game you win you gain confidence from and you want to keep that ball rolling and doing the good things that make our team successful."
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