When a collision knocked Mike Smith's mask off, the Coyotes goaltender was less than pleased when he was told a few minutes later he had no choice but to leave the game.

One of the NHL's central spotters in New York made that call to trainer Jason Serbus, and in accordance with the league's concussion protocol, Smith's departure was mandatory.

"Mike didn't want to come out, but that's what was going to be done," coach Dave Tippett said. "I'm interested to see how that one goes in an overtime in playoffs or something like that. We'll see how teams react to that one."

The playoffs are a month away, and teams are already not reacting well to concussion protocol for goalies, which is why it's one of the topics that general managers are expected to discuss at their annual March meeting beginning Monday in Boca Raton, Florida. Smith and Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist are among those who have so far been critical of the rule.