Utah Mammoth News

After saving 98 of the first 103 shots he faced this season (.951 SV%) and recording a 2-1-0 record, Vejmelka has been somewhat of a liability between the pipes, allowing 16 goals on the subsequent 115 shots (.861 SV%), failing to record a victory in the process (0-3-1). The Coyotes are listed as slight +102 road underdogs on Thursday but will hope Vejmelka can shut the door against the St. Louis Blues and their 28th-ranked offence (2.36 GF / GP).

Perunovich will re-enter the Blues' lineup on Thursday as the team looks for a spark after a disappointing 5-2 loss at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. Perunovich has been with the Blues the entire season but has only cracked the lineup twice, recording zero points while averaging 11:38 time-on-ice. The 45th overall pick of the Blues in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has yet to make his mark in the NHL but has dominated at every other level, including 42 points (5G / 37A) in 39 career AHL games.

Vanecek has seemingly secured the Devils' starting gig as he will be the starter for the fifth time in their last six games. Vanecek has been far from perfect but has done enough to give the high-scoring Devils (3.91 GF / GP) a chance to win on most nights, posting a 3.05 GAA and .900 SV% through eight games (6-2-0). The Devils, without Jack Hughes, are +160 road underdogs against the Colorado Avalanche, who will be desperate for a victory after being shut out in three of their last four contests (1-3-0).

Vanecek has seemingly secured the Devils' starting gig as he appears to be the starter for the fifth time in their last six games. Vanecek has been far from perfect but has done enough to give the high-scoring Devils (3.91 GF / GP) a chance to win on most nights, posting a 3.05 GAA and .900 SV% through eight games (6-2-0). The Devils, without Jack Hughes, are +160 road underdogs against the Colorado Avalanche, who will be desperate for a victory after being shut out in three of their last four contests (1-3-0).

Vanecek allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Devils' win in Minnesota on Thursday. Vanecek was given a night off on Friday but will be back in the crease Sunday in Chicago. Vanecek comes in riding a three-game winning streak despite allowing a combined 10 goals on 86 shots (.884 SV%). Vanecek and the Devils are late -205 favourites, so he makes for a great start even with the Devils missing Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier.

Vejmelka allowed four goals on 29 shots (.862 SV%) in his previous start for his third loss in a row but will look to right the ship Saturday vs. Winnipeg. The 27-year-old has done well when called up this season, with his 2-3-1 record, .916 SV% and 2.75 GAA. He will face Winnipeg for a Saturday matinee, who has lost three straight games and are 15th in the NHL in goals per game (3.1).

Vejmelka allowed four goals on 29 shots (.862 SV%) in his previous start for his third loss in a row but will look to right the ship Saturday vs. Winnipeg. The 27-year-old has done well when called up this season, with his 2-3-1 record, .916 SV% and 2.75 GAA. He will face Winnipeg for a Saturday matinee, who has lost three straight games and are 15th in the NHL in goals per game (3.1).

DeSimone has four assists and a +4 plus/minus in six games with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) and has been recalled to the Flames Friday for the first time this season. The 28-year-old returns to the NHL, where he failed to pick up a point in a short four game appearance in 2022-23 where he averaged only 11:15 TOI. DeSimone will replace Jordan Oesterle on the Flames who was waived on Thursday afternoon.

Vanecek has appeared in four straight games for the Devils and currently finds himself in the midst of a two-game winning streak after stopping 31 of 34 shots (.912 SV%) and beating Minnesota in his previous start. The 27-year-old has won despite his mediocre play this season as he is 4-2-0, .895 SV%, and 3.24 GAA. He takes on the reeling Minnesota Wild, who have dropped their previous three games but are tied for seventh in the NHL in goals per game (3.56).

Vanecek has appeared in four straight games for the Devils and currently finds himself in the midst of a two-game winning streak after stopping 31 of 34 shots (.912 SV%) and beating Minnesota in his previous start. The 27-year-old has won despite his mediocre play this season as he is 4-2-0, .895 SV%, and 3.24 GAA. He takes on the reeling Minnesota Wild, who have dropped their previous three games but are tied for seventh in the NHL in goals per game (3.56).

The even rotation between the pipes will continue for the Coyotes on Wednesday as Vejmelka will start for the fifth time in nine games. Despite a 2-3-0 record, Vejemelka has been terrific to start the season for the Coyotes, posting a 2.51 GAA and .926 SV% and has played a big part in the Coyotes ranking seventh defensively, allowing an average of only 2.63 goals allowed per game, a stark difference to last season's 24th-ranked 3.60. The Coyotes are -128 road favourites on Wednesday against an Anaheim Ducks team that has also shown improvements this season as they are off to a 5-4-1 start.

Crouse was absent Friday vs. Los Angeles and was a game-time decision for Monday's game against the Blackhawks. 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 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.