Add Smith To List Of Injury-Riddled Bolts

The only thing missing from the Lightning training room lately is a maitre d' stand to inform patrons of how long the wait will be for an available table.

The latest to show up on Tampa Bay's injury list is goaltender Mike Smith, who missed practice Saturday and will sit out today's game against New Jersey with an unspecified lower-body injury. There was no indication that Smith was banged up after his 34-save victory against Nashville on Friday, although he has frequently had his left knee and groin muscle iced down after recent games and practices.

Lightning interim coach Rick Tocchet said Smith could have played today, but with Monday a scheduled off day, Smith will receive treatment and get some rest.

"It's just a couple of things that have been nagging him over the past couple of days," Tocchet said. "We have another great goalie in Olie Kolzig, so let's nip this in the bud now and make sure we give Olie some work."

With Smith out, Karri Ramo - who started for AHL Norfolk on Saturday - will be called up and serve as the backup.

In addition to Smith, defenseman Lukas Krajicek did not practice Saturday after leaving Friday's game after two periods with an unspecified lower-body injury. Tocchet said Krajicek is questionable for today's game, meaning another defenseman will join Ramo on recall, likely either Andrew Hutchinson - who has five assists in the past four games for Norfolk - or Jaime Heward, who played in the first three games of the season with the Lightning before being sent down.

To make room for the two recalls, Lightning general manager Brian Lawton said forwards Gary Roberts and Chris Gratton have been placed on injured reserve retroactive to Wednesday, which means both would be eligible to return for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Roberts has not practiced for four days with an unspecified upper-body injury, although he did skate on his own Friday morning. Gratton has been bothered by what is believed to be lingering knee issue, although he has practiced the past four days, including Saturday.

Ryan Malone, who missed four games with a leg injury and left Friday's game after two periods for precautionary reasons, is expected to be in the lineup today.

Even with all the shuffling of bodies in and out of the lineup coming on the heels of a coaching change last week, Tocchet said it hasn't disrupted much of what the team is trying to accomplish.

"You want to get guys in the lineup and get some kind of chemistry going," he said, "but we've got so many bodies here so it's not pressing to get a guy in the lineup. So if a guy has a nagging injury, he can get himself fresh and ready to go."