"It probably goes without saying, but Coyotes G Mike Smith said it anyway.

"Obviously," he said of tonight's game with the Lightning, "I've had this date marked on my calendar for a while."

Smith in July signed a two-year, $4 million deal with Phoenix, ending his tumultuous four-year career with Tampa Bay.

That stretch included stellar play, several serious injuries, last season's demotion to AHL Norfolk and his return to form, especially during the playoffs, when he went 1-1 in three games — including a start in Game 5 of the East final against the Bruins — with a 1.00 goals-against average and .958 save percentage.

"I would have liked to stay in Tampa," Smith said Friday by phone from Glendale, Ariz. "It didn't work out. I'm fortunate I've had the chance to be the guy here in Phoenix."

Smith, 29, is 17-12-7 with two shutouts, a 2.41 goals-against average and .923 save percentage. He said goaltenders coach Sean Burke has been "a huge, huge mentor for me."

"I've matured a lot as a player. I've learned a lot about my game and what it takes to be more consistent," Smith said. "I don't know if that would have happened if I would have stayed in Tampa. I'm not saying it wouldn't have. I just think I've learned a lot about my game this season than I have in the past.""