Rooney had an assist, 14 SOG, seven PIMs and a -2 plus/minus through 17 games played with Calgary in 2022-23 but has been forced to miss all of the 2023-24 season thus far due to off-season shoulder surgery. He will make his season debut on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins.
Vanecek will start for the third time in the last four games for the Devils in a challenging matchup against the high-scoring Colorado Avalanche. The Devils have lost two straight, and Vanecek has allowed four or more goals in each of his last two starts. That said, Vanecek and the Devils will be facing off against an Avalanche club that lost a hard-fought battle last night, 2-1 versus the New York Rangers in overtime.
Sergachev has not played since December 19th and will miss at least six more games. After being placed on long-term injured reserve, the earliest Sergachev can return to the lineup is on February 7th, which appears likely after he practised with the second powerplay unit at practice on Monday. Sergachev had 19 points (2G / 17A) in 33 games before his injury.
Perunovich left Sunday's game vs. the Kings with a lower-body injury and will not be available for Tuesday's game vs. Columbus. The Blues hope he'll be ready to go after the All-Star break/bye week, but it's too early to tell. Expect Tyler Tucker to replace him in the lineup on Tuesday.
DeSimone was a healthy scratch for the last five games for the Calgary Flames and was placed on waivers on Wednesday. The 29-year-old defenseman has five points (1G / 4A), 19 shots, 12 hits, and 21 blocks in 23 games this season.
Yamamoto will draw in for John Hayden, who is a healthy scratch on Wednesday. Yamamoto has seven goals and five assists in 42 games this season.
Perunovich will fill in for the injured Justin Faulk (undisclosed). Perunovich has no goals and nine assists in 28 games this season.
Schmaltz last played on January 16th, exiting the game with an upper-body injury after playing only 11:11 time-on-ice, and he has missed three games since. The talented playmaker has five points (3G / 2A) in his last six games and will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers.
DeSimone has been a healthy scratch the last two games and was placed on waivers by the Flames on Wednesday. The 29-year-old defenseman has five points (1G / 4A), 19 shots, 12 hits, and 21 blocks in 23 games this season.
Schmaltz last played on January 16th, exiting the game with a lower-body injury after playing only 11:11 time-on-ice, and he has missed three games since. The talented playmaker has five points (3G / 2A) in his last six games and is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers.
Vejmelka served as the backup to Connor Ingram for the last five games but will return to the crease on Wednesday. After a brief stretch of promising play in December, Vejmelka has allowed three or more goals in four straight games (1-3-0), posting an ugly .852 SV%. The Coyotes, winners of two straight, are sizeable +204 road underdogs against a Panthers club that snapped a four-game losing skid with a 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators on Monday.
Vanecek served as the backup to Nico Daws on Saturday in a one-side 6-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. Given Vanecek's tremendous effort the previous night, saving 29 of 30 shots (.967 SV%) in a 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Devils will turn back to him on Monday. Vanecek has helped a struggling Devils squad record at least a point in each of his last three starts (2-0-1), posting a .907 SV% in the process. The Devils, losers of three of their last four (1-3-0), are -120 road underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights, who are riding a three-game winning streak.
Valimaki will draw into the lineup on Monday in favour of Troy Stecher, who will be a healthy scratch. Valimaki has been out of the lineup for the last six games and has only six points (0G / 6A) in 30 games, a substantial decline from the 34 points (4G / 30A) he had in 78 games last season.
Vanecek served as the backup to Nico Daws on Saturday in a one-side 6-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. Given Vanecek's tremendous effort the previous night, saving 29 of 30 shots (.967 SV%) in a 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Devils will likely turn back to him on Monday. Vanecek has helped a struggling Devils squad record at least a point in each of his last three starts (2-0-1), posting a .907 SV% in the process. The Devils, losers of three of their last four (1-3-0), are -120 road underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights, who are riding a three-game winning streak.
