Utah Mammoth News

Durzi exited Monday's game against the Washington Capitals with a lower-body injury in the first period. Despite playing only 4:02 time-on-ice, Durzi recorded a point (0G / 1A), snapping a seven-game pointless skid.

Schmidt will be a healthy scratch as the Jets return to the more traditional 12-forward, six-defenseman setup on Thursday. In 20 games this season, Schmidt has only one point (0G / 1A) but has 23 blocks while averaging 16:51 time-on-ice.

Durzi exited Monday's game against the Washington Capitals with a lower-body injury in the first period. Despite playing only 4:02 time-on-ice, Durzi recorded a point (0G / 1A), snapping a seven-game pointless skid. Durzi and Travis Dermott (hand) will both be game-time decisions for the Coyotes on Thursday.

Durzi left the Coyotes' previous game vs. Washington after just 4:02 TOI with a lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day and doubtful to play Thursday. The 25-year-old has been enjoying a strong first season in Arizona after being dealt in the offseason, with his five goals, eight assists, 42 SOG, 29 PIMs and +10 plus/minus in 24 games prior to his injury.

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.

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.

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).

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).

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).