Smith earned a League-best nine wins in nine starts, compiling a 1.66 goals-against average, .951 save percentage and two shutouts - as well as the primary assist on an overtime goal (
April 5 at SJS
) - to propel the Oilers (49-27-6, 104 points) to an 11-2-1 month and their third consecutive playoff berth. The 16-season veteran - who turned 40 in March - became the second goaltender in League history to post a nine-game winning streak at age 40 or older, following Jacques Plante in 1970-71 (9 0 0 w/ TOR). He did so by making at least 30 saves in every contest and yielding two or fewer goals seven times, including back-to-back shutouts April 14 at NSH (30 SV) and April 16 vs. VGK (39 SV). Smith, who was 7-9-2 in 19 games entering April (3.41 GAA, .896 SV%, 0 SO), finished the season with a 16-9-2 record, 2.81 goals-against average, .915 save percentage and two shutouts in 28 total outings.