Tampa Bay G Mike Smith gets first playoff start

Tampa Bay goalie Mike Smith is starting a playoff game for the first time in his career.

Smith replaced Dwayne Roloson, who started the first four games, in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Bruins on Monday night.

Smith was a midgame replacement on two other occasions during the series. On Saturday, he took over with 2:02 left in the first period and the Lightning went on to a 5-3 win that tied the series at 2. Roloson allowed three goals on nine shots. Smith stopped all 21 shots he faced.

In the regular season, he had a 2.90 goals against average in 22 games, including 20 starts. A rookie with Dallas in 2006, he was traded to Tampa Bay in February 2008.