Mike Smith Injury: Updates on Coyotes Goalie's Head Injury

Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith suffered a head injury in Game 2 of his team's first round series with the Chicago Blackhawks after Blackhawks' center Andrew Shaw hit him along the end boards.

UPDATE: Tuesday, April 17 at 3:06 p.m. ET

Smith is not injured and will play in Game 3 Tuesday night against the Blackhawks, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.

"

Mike Smith is uninjured and will play tonight. Had he been hurt...Shaw would have been suspended rest of series. #TSN

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) April 17, 2012"

Shaw was suspended for three games by the NHL on Tuesday for his hit on Smith.

Smith, who has been instrumental in the Coyotes' playoff run, might not play in Game 3 on Tuesday night in Chicago, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Shaw had a hearing with NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan on Monday, but the league still hasn't made a decision on his punishment, which will likely be a suspension.

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews doesn't think his rookie teammate intended to hurt Smith, saying via the Tribune:

"

"We lost a player for the rest of the game, and they didn't," captain Jonathan Toews said. "I don't think the intent was there at all. The effort to get out of the way and avoid the head contact was enough. Their goaltender is healthy, he's fine, he played well for the rest of the game. That's the main thing."

"

Coyotes coach Dave Tippett took a different tune that Toews, saying on Tuesday, “It’s a blatant hit to the head. The type of hit they are trying to get out of the game.”

After being hit by Shaw, Smith remained in the game even though the collision could have left him concussed. 

If the Coyotes lose Smith, who has an impressive .937 save percentage in the series, their playoff run could soon be over. 

Follow @NicholasGoss35

Nicholas Goss is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He was also the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Final in Boston.