Vanecek will get the nod against the Wild on Sunday, making him the first of the Devils' two goaltenders to start consecutive games this season. He allowed four goals on 27 shots enroute to a 5-4 victory over the Sabres on Friday. Vanecek owns an .891 SV% and a 3.30 GAA to go along with his 3-2-0 record on the season. He and the Devils are -170 favourites to pick up the victory over Marc-Andre Fleury and the Wild on Sunday.
McCartney was recalled from the Tuscon Roadrunners of the AHL where has been held pointless in five games this season. The 22-year-old, seventh-round pick from the 2020 NHL Entry Draft has not played at the NHL level since the 2021-22 season.
Maata will be scratched to make room for the return of Jeff Petry. In seven games this season, Maata has two points (0G / 2A) while averaging 15:31 time-on-ice, primarily on the third defensive pairing.
Crouse was absent from Thursday's team practice as he dealt with an illness and was a game-time decision Friday vs. Los Angeles. The 26-year-old has struggled out of the gate thus far in 2023-24, with only an assist, eight SOG, four PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through six games.
Vanecek will take the starter's crease for the Devils on Friday as they will look to bounce back after a 6-4 loss to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. Vanecek, who allowed two goals on 16 shots coming in relief of Akira Schmid on Wednesday, has been the better of the two goalies thus far despite a pedestrian 3.10 GAA and .900 SV% in four games (2-2-0). The Devils are listed as -191 home favourites against a Buffalo Sabres team that is averaging only 2.71 goals per game, the 21st fewest in the league.
Vanecek is the likely starter for the Devils on Friday as they will look to bounce back after a 6-4 loss to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. Vanecek, who allowed two goals on 16 shots coming in relief of Akira Schmid on Wednesday, has been the better of the two goalies thus far despite a pedestrian 3.10 GAA and .900 SV% in four games (2-2-0). The Devils are listed as -191 home favourites against a Buffalo Sabres team that is averaging only 2.71 goals per game, the 21st fewest in the league.
Crouse was absent from Thursday's team practice as he dealt with an illness and will now be a game-time decision Friday vs. Los Angeles. The 26-year-old has struggled out of the gate thus far in 2023-24, with only an assist, eight SOG, four PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through six games.
Vejmelka lines up to face the Los Angeles Kings for a second straight contest after losing in overtime to them in his previous start 2-1 after stopping 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%). The 27-year-old has been sensational when called upon in 2023-24, with his 2-2-0 record, .942 SV% and 1.85 GAA. He takes on Los Angeles again Friday, who has won three of their last four games and are second in the NHL in goals per game (4.5).
St. Louis has decided to go with the unconventional 11 forwards, seven defensemen approach which had led to Scott Perunovich getting his first appearance of the season in the Blues' lineup. The 25-year-old last appeared in the NHL as a rookie in 2021-22 and had six assists, 14 SOG, eight PIMs and a +2 plus/minus in 19 games. He takes the place of Tyler Tucker in the Blues' lineup Thursday.
Vanecek has struggled in his two appearances so far this season, but he draws an excellent matchup tonight against the Canadiens with New Jersey being massive road favourites at -235. The 27-year-old netminder has stopped just 58 of the 65 shots he's faced this season and has a 3.62 GAA along with a 1-1-0 record to show for it. Vanecek will always be a threat to pick up a Win for your fantasy team so long as he's suiting up for the Devils, but he'll need to string together some strong performances if he wants to stop conceding starts to his understudy, Akira Schmid.
Ingram will return to the crease on Tuesday for his third game, as the Coyotes continue to split time between their two netminders early this season. Ingram has played well to start the season, posting a 2.02 GAA and .926 SV% in two games (1-1-0). The Coyotes are +161 road underdogs against a Los Angeles Kings team that is scoring (4.20 GF/GP) almost as much as they are allowing (3.80 GA/GP).
Vejmelka lost unfortunately his previous start after stopping 33 of 34 shots against (.971 SV%) and will start Saturday vs. Anaheim. The 27-year-old has had a sensational two starts thus far in 2023-24, with a 1-1-0 record, .943 SV% and a 1.95 GAA. He takes on the Anaheim Ducks, who have lost two of their first three games and are ranked 15th in the NHL in goals for (3.0).
Ingram has served as backup goalie to Karel Vejmelka in two of three games this season but will return to the pipes on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. In his only game thus far, Ingram came short of securing a victory for the Coyotes despite allowing only two goals on 28 shots in a 2-1 loss to the New York Rangers. Early on, the Coyotes seem committed to a two-goalie system but any false step could give more security to the other. The Coyotes are slight -102 road underdogs against a Blue team that has only scored two goals in their first two games (1-0-1).
The New Jersey Devils seem committed to continuing their goalie rotation early in the season as it appears Vanecek will return to the crease on Monday night. In his only game of the season thus far, Vanecek allowed three goals on 35 shots en route to securing a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. The Devils are listed as -169 home favourites against a Florida Panthers team that has struggled immensely so far this season, scoring only four times in their first two games (0-2-0).
Tanev is expected to miss four-to-six weeks after suffering a lower-body injury in the Kraken's season opener against the Vegas Golden Knights. Tanev is coming off a season where he played a full 82-game slate after only playing 62 games combined in his two seasons prior. Tye Kartye replaced Tanev in their most recent game and will likely remain in the lineup until he is fit to return.
The New Jersey Devils seem committed to continuing their goalie rotation early in the season as it appears Vanecek will return to the crease on Monday night. In his only game of the season thus far, Vanecek allowed three goals on 35 shots en route to securing a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. The Devils are listed as -169 home favourites against a Florida Panthers team that has struggled immensely so far this season, scoring only four times in their first two games (0-2-0).
Coming off a 2-1 loss last night to the New York Rangers, the Coyotes will turn to Vejmelka after starting Connor Ingram in the front end of their back-to-back slate. Vejemelka was very good in his first and only start of the season thus far, saving 33 of 36 shots in a 4-3 shootout victory over the New Jersey Devils. The Coyotes once again enter tonight's matchup as sizeable underdogs (+174) but will be facing a New York Islanders team that has routinely struggled to score goals.
