Utah Mammoth News

Vanecek will return to the Devils' crease for the first time since November 28th after Akira Schmid got the nod in each of New Jersey's last two games. Vanecek has been unable to find his form all season long and has struggled especially of late, posting an ugly .848 SV% across his last four appearances. Thanks to some great goal support, Vanecek does own an 8-5-0 record on the season despite his .879 SV% and 3.49 GAA. He'll have his hands full again on Tuesday in a difficult road matchup against the Canucks.

After evenly alternating starts with Karel Vejmelka for the first six weeks of the season, Ingram has settled in as the undisputed favourite between the pipes for the Coyotes, deservedly starting for the fifth straight game on Monday against the Washington Capitals. Ingram has been sensational this season, boasting a 2.40 GAA and .925 SV% in 14 games (10-3-0), and seems to be getting stronger as the season progresses, allowing only five goals in his last four games (4-0-0), posting a gaudy .961 SV%. Ingram looks poised for another strong performance on Monday as the Coyotes are -126 home favourites against a Capitals team that has scored more than two goals only once in their last five games (2-3-0).

Schmidt will be a healthy scratch on Saturday, allowing Declan Chisholm to make his season debut. The 32-year-old Schmidt is averaging only 16:51 time-on-ice through 20 games this season, significantly less than the 19:16 he has averaged over his career. He has one point (0G / 1A), a -4 plus/minus, 23 blocks, and nine hits.

Valimaki will play his first game since November 14th, when he took a puck to the face. Before his injury, Valimaki skated predominantly alongside Troy Stecher and recorded four points (0G / 4A) in 15 games while averaging 18:13 time-on-ice.

Deservedly so, Ingram will start for the third consecutive game after rotating starts evenly with Karel Vejmelka for the first six weeks of the season. Ingram has been sensational this season, responsible for eight of the Coyotes' 10 wins, despite only playing in 12 games himself, boasting a stellar 2.49 GAA and .924 SV%. Ingram has saved 64 of the last 65 shots he has faced (.985 SV%) during a two-game winning streak. Even so, the Coyotes are +164 home underdogs against the red-hot Colorado Avalanche, who have won four straight games, outscoring their opposition 15-6.

Vanecek is coming off his lightest workload of the season, facing only 12 shots in a 7-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, and will be the Devils' starter once again on Tuesday. The four-year NHL pro has never had a sub.-908 SV% or above 2.69 GAA to end a season but is currently sporting an ugly .884 SV% and 3.32 GAA. Vanecek has only five quality starts in 13 games, a trend that shows no signs of reversing. That said, he continues to be the Devils' go-to option between the pipes and could be in for a better-than-usual performance as the Devils are -156 home favourites against a New York Islanders team that scores the third-fewest goals in the league (2.55 GF / GP).

Tanev played just 3:37 TOI before leaving Friday's loss to the Canucks and will not play on Tuesday but does not expect to be out long-term. Tye Kartye moved up to the second line with Tanev out and the Kraken recalled Marian Studenic from the AHL on Tuesday morning.

Vanecek is coming off his lightest workload of the season, facing only 12 shots in a 7-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, and appears to be the Devils' starter once again on Tuesday. The four-year NHL pro has never had a sub.-908 SV% or above 2.69 GAA to end a season but is currently sporting an ugly .884 SV% and 3.32 GAA. Vanecek has only five quality starts in 13 games, a trend that shows no signs of reversing. That said, he continues to be the Devils' go-to option between the pipes and could be in for a better-than-usual performance as the Devils are -156 home favourites against a New York Islanders team that scores the third-fewest goals in the league (2.55 GF / GP).

For the first time this season, the Coyotes will stray away from their goalie rotation as Ingram will start consecutive games for the first time. This news isn't all that shocking given his heroic performance in his most recent outing where he saved all 34 shots he faced in a 2-0 shutout victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Ingram and the Coyotes are slight +102 home underdogs against a Tampa Bay Lightning team that played last night and will be turning to goaltender Jonas Johansson, who has allowed three or more goals in nine of his last 10 appearances.

Perunovich was a healthy scratch yesterday but played in eight straight games before that, scoring two points (0G / 2A) in his last three. He is expected to skate alongside Marco Scandella on the Blues' third defensive pair.

Vanecek allowed four goals on 28 shots in the Devils' loss in Detroit on Wednesday. Vanecek has struggled in his last five outings, going 1-3-0 with an .860 SV%. Tonight he'll face the Sabres, as -166 home favourites. Buffalo come in ranking 24th in the NHL in GF/60 (2.83).

Tanev played just 3:37 TOI before leaving Friday's loss to the Canucks. Tye Kartye moved up to the second line with Tanev out and they'll recall a forward from the AHL in the upcoming day with Tanev out for the foreseeable future.

Vanecek allowed four goals on 28 shots in the Devils' loss in Detroit on Wednesday. Vanecek has struggled in his last five outings, going 1-3-0 with an .860 SV%. Tonight he'll face the Sabres, as -166 home favourites. Buffalo come in ranking 24th in the NHL in GF/60 (2.83).

Ingram allowed two goals on 20 shots after replacing Karel Vejmelka during Wednesday's loss to the Blues. Ingram has been solid this season, going 6-3-0 with a 2.94 GAA and .910 SV% in 10 appearances (nine starts) but draws an awful matchup in Vegas on Saturday. The Coyotes are +209 road underdogs and remain without Barrett Hayton and Juuso Valimaki.

The Devils will turn to Vanecek in Detroit on Wednesday for the third consecutive game. Vanecek allowed four goals on 34 shots enroute to a 5-3 defeat to the Rangers on Saturday. Vanecek has been inconsistent at best this season, but backup Akira Schmid's struggles have allowed Vanecek to retain a firm grip on the starting job. The 28-year-old netminder owns a 7-4-0 record on the season along with an .889 SV% and a 3.38 GAA. He draws a favourable matchup on Wednesday with the Devils being -160 road favourites over the Red Wings.

Despite being outperformed by teammate Connor Ingram, the Coyotes will stick to their equal goaltending split as Vejmelka re-enters the crease on Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues. Vejmelka owns only two of the Coyotes' eight wins this season and has not recorded a victory since October 21st. Since then, Vejmelka has allowed 26 goals in seven appearances (0-5-2), posting an ugly .876 SV%. The Coyotes will hope Vejmelka can get back into the win column as they face off against the Blues, who are scoring at the seventh-lowest rate this season (2.71 GF / GP).

The Coyotes will turn back to Ingram on Monday as the team remains intent on evenly rotating between their two goaltenders, even though Ingram has been far more reliable this season. Of the Coyotes' eight wins this season, six belong to Ingram, who has put together an impressive 2.75 GAA and .918 SV% in eight appearances (6-1-0). That said, the Coyotes are +132 home underdogs against a Los Angeles Kings team that has points in 10 of their last 11 (9-1-1).