Utah Mammoth News

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.

Carcone was forced to exit the Coyotes' previous game vs. Anaheim after just six shifts and 4:17 TOI due to an undisclosed injury and was a game-time decision Tuesday after wearing a non-contact jersey in practice Monday. The 27-year-old is in his third NHL season and has a goal, four SOG, four PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through four games thus far in 2023-24.

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.

Carcone was forced to exit the Coyotes' previous game vs. Anaheim after just six shifts and 4:17 TOI due to an undisclosed injury and will be a game-time decision Tuesday after wearing a non-contact jersey in practice Monday. The 27-year-old is in his third NHL season and has a goal, four SOG, four PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through four games thus far in 2023-24.

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).

Carcone was a healthy scratch for Arizona's win vs. NYR on Monday but will draw back into the lineup Tuesday as Arizona takes on the New York Islanders. The 27-year-old forward has only appeared in one game this season and failed to pick up any counting stats across 9:10 TOI. He will replace Travis Boyd in the Coyotes' lineup Tuesday.

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.

Carcone only played 14 shifts and 9:10 TOI in the Coyotes' season opening win and will be a healthy scratch Monday as Arizona takes on the New York Rangers. The 27-year-old undrafted forward had two goals, an assist, 15 SOG and a +3 plus/minus in a short nine game showing in 2022-23 and will hope to find his way back into the lineup soon. He is being replaced by Travis Boyd on the Coyotes' fourth line.

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.

Maatta was a healthy scratch in the Red Wings' season-opening loss in New Jersey. With Robby Fabbri day-to-day with an injury, Maatta will suit up as the Red Wings' No.7 defenseman. He had 23 points (6G / 17A) in 78 games a season ago.

Vejmelka will get the start for the Coyotes in their season opener against the New Jersey Devils on Friday night. Vejmelka is coming off a 50-game campaign (18-24-6) that saw him record a 3.41 GAA and .900 SV% along with three shutouts. The Coyotes should see some improvements on their 28-40-14 record from last season but will be put to the test in their opening matchup against Jack Hughes and the high-flying offence of the Devils.

Vejmelka is likely to get the start for the Coyotes in their season opener against the New Jersey Devils on Friday night. Vejmelka is coming off a 50-game campaign (18-24-6) that saw him record a 3.41 GAA and .900 SV% along with three shutouts. The Coyotes should see some improvements on their 28-40-14 record from last season but will be put to the test in their opening matchup against Jack Hughes and the high-flying offence of the Devils.