Utah Mammoth News

Akira Schmid started each of the last two games for the Devils, a back-to-back set, as Vanecek was unable to play due to an illness. That said, he was in the starter's crease at Tuesday's morning skate, indicating he will likely return to net against the Philadelphia Flyers. Vanecek has struggled with consistency this season but is amid his best two-game stretch (2-0-0), allowing only three goals on a combined 49 shots (.939 SV%). The Devils are coming off a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks and are -159 home favourites against a Flyers team with points in eight straight contests (6-0-2).

After playing in each of Detroit's last five games, Maatta will take a seat on Monday in favour of Justin Holl. Maatta has no goals and five assists in 25 games with the Red Wings this season.

Durzi played on Saturday after sitting out the Coyotes' previous contest due to a lower-body injury but was unable to play on Monday and Tuesday and will likely be unavailable for a third straight game on Tuesday as he continues to recover from a lingering lower-body injury. After a strong start to the season, scoring 12 points (5G / 7A) in 16 games, Durzi has only scored one point (0G / 1A) in his last nine.

Schmaltz played 21:23 in the Coyotes' last game on Tuesday but suffered an undisclosed injury that originally had him as a game-time decision on Friday but will be in the lineup without a worry. Schmaltz has been held without a point in four straight games, his worst skid this season.

Vejmelka will play the back end of a back-to-back for the Coyotes on Saturday when they face off against the Buffalo Sabres. Vejmelka has played only once since November 25th, a matchup also against the Sabres, when he allowed four goals on 37 shots (.892 SV%) in a 5-2 loss earlier this week. The Czech netminder is now winless in his last nine appearances, dating back to a 2-1 victory against the Anaheim Ducks on October 21st, which also marks the last time he has allowed less than two goals in a game.

McBain has missed 16 straight games due to a lower-body injury dating back to November 9th but is expected to make his return to the Coyotes lineup on Friday. In 13 games this season, McBain had seven points (4G / 3A) while averaging 12:13 time-on-ice.

Durzi played on Saturday after sitting out the Coyotes' previous contest due to a lower-body injury but was unable to play on Monday and Tuesday and will likely be unavailable for a third straight game on Tuesday as he continues to recover from a lingering lower-body injury. After a strong start to the season, scoring 12 points (5G / 7A) in 16 games, Durzi has only scored one point (0G / 1A) in his last nine.

Schmaltz played 21:23 in the Coyotes' last game on Tuesday but suffered an undisclosed injury that will make him a game-time decision on Friday. Schmaltz has been held without a point in four straight games, his worst skid this season.

The Devils' goaltending carousel will continue Wednesday as Vitek Vanecek gets his second-start in three games Wednesday vs. Boston. The 27-year-old netminder has struggled mightily this season despite his decent 10-5-0 record, as he has a 3.49 GAA And .879 SV%. He hosts the surging Boston Bruins, who have won four of their last five games and are 11th in the NHL in goals per game.

The Devils' goaltending carousel will continue Wednesday as Vitek Vanecek gets his second-start in three games Wednesday vs. Boston. The 27-year-old netminder has struggled mightily this season despite his decent 10-5-0 record, as he has a 3.49 GAA And .879 SV%. He hosts the surging Boston Bruins, who have won four of their last five games and are 11th in the NHL in goals per game.

DeSimone will play in Vegas on Tuesday, marking his first appearance since November 20th. He has no goals and four assists in eight games this season.

DeSimone has been recalled from the Calgary Wranglers of the AHL as Chris Tanev will be unavailable to play due to an undisclosed injury. DeSimone has played eight games this season, averaging 12:50 time-on-ice, tallying four points (0G / 4A), six blocks, and six hits.

Logan Stanley will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Schmidt to return to the lineup for the first time since November 30th. Schmidt is expected to skate on the third defensive pair alongside Dylan Samberg.

Durzi played on Saturday after sitting out the Coyotes' previous contest due to a lower-body injury but was unable to play on Monday and will be unavailable for a second straight game on Tuesday as he continues to recover from a lingering lower-body injury. After a strong start to the season, scoring 12 points (5G / 7A) in 16 games, Durzi has only scored one point (0G / 1A) in his last nine.

Durzi played on Saturday after sitting out the Coyotes' previous contest due to a lower-body injury but was a game-time decision on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres as he continues to nurse his ailment. After a strong start to the season, scoring 12 points (5G / 7A) in 16 games, Durzi has only scored one point (0G / 1A) in his last nine.

Durzi played on Saturday after sitting out the Coyotes' previous contest due to a lower-body injury but will be a game-time decision on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres as he continues to nurse his ailment. After a strong start to the season, scoring 12 points (5G / 7A) in 16 games, Durzi has only scored one point (0G / 1A) in his last nine. If he can play, he will likely skate alongside J.J. Moser at even strength and quarterback the top powerplay unit.

After alternating starts evenly for the first six weeks of the season, Vejmelka has served as the backup for the last two weeks as Connor Ingram has demanded the crease, playing exception hockey over that stretch. Vejmelka will start for the first time since November 22nd and hope this extended rest can help him get his season on track, as he has a subpar 3.45 GAA and 892 SV% in 11 games (2-6-2). With Ingram faltering over his last two games, Vejmelka will once again have the chance to win some starts between the pipes as the Coyotes are +112 road underdogs against the Buffalo Sabres.