Utah Mammoth News

Vanecek is in the starter's crease at the Devils' morning skate.

Vanecek stopped 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) as he picked up his fourth straight loss in a defeat to Boston his last time out. The 26-year-old has struggled as of late, but still has an impressive 12-5-2 record, 2.39 GAA and .910 SV%. He will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have lost three-straight games but are eighth in the NHL in goals per game (3.37).

Vitek Vanecek
Vanecek led the Devils onto the ice for warmups.

Vanecek stopped all five of five Bruins' shots as he was perfect in relief of Mackenzie Blackwood against Boston in his last time between the pipes. The 26-year-old has played well in his first season in New Jersey, with his 12-4-2 record, 2.41 GAA and .909 SV%. He will get a full game shot at Boston Wednesday, who holds the NHL's best record and snapped a four-game winning streak with a 3-2 shootout loss in the first game of back-to-backs Tuesday to these Devils.

Vitek Vanecek
Vanecek is in the starter's crease at the Devils morning skate.

Vanecek stopped all five of five Bruins' shots as he was perfect in relief of Mackenzie Blackwood against Boston in his last time between the pipes. The 26-year-old has played well in his first season in New Jersey, with his 12-4-2 record, 2.41 GAA and .909 SV%. He will get a full game shot at Boston Wednesday, who holds the NHL's best record and snapped a four-game winning streak with a 3-2 shootout loss in the first game of back-to-backs Tuesday to these Devils.

Vitek Vanecek
Ingram will start Tuesday vs. the Avalanche.

Ingram allowed three goals on 41 shots (.927 SV%) as he picked up his seventh straight loss in his last start on Dec. 17th vs. Buffalo. The Coyotes' backup has been horrid this season, with his 1-7-1 record, 4.39 GAA and .875 SV%. He will face the Colorado Avalanche, who have won their last four and six of their last seven games.

Connor Ingram
John Marino is week-to-week with an upper-body injury.

Marino left the Devils' game Monday due to an upper-body injury and missed Wednesday's game and is now considered out week-to-week with an upper-body injury. Marino has three goals, six assists, 42 SOG and is a +10 plus/minus in 32 games played.

John Marino
Nick DeSimone has been recalled from the Calgary Wranglers (AHL).

DeSimone has four goals and 11 assists, with 18 PIMs and a +7 plus/minus through 20 games with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) prior to his second call-up of the season to the Flames. He has also played in four games with the Flames, where he picked up no points, two PIMs and a -4 plus/minus.

Nick DeSimone
Mikhail Sergachev will return to the Lightning's lineup Tuesday vs. Toronto (upper body).

Sergachev has missed the Lightning's previous two games due to an upper-body injury but will return to the lineup Tuesday. He has been having a fantastic breakout season, with five goals, 22 assists, 48 SOG and a 13 PPP through 29 games this season prior to his injury.

Mikhail Sergachev
Olli Maatta has pneumonia and will be a game-time decision Saturday (illness).

Maatta has not played since Dec. 6th due to illness and will be a game-time decision as the Red Wings take on Ottawa Saturday. Maatta has been having a resurgent first season in Detroit, with two goals, 10 points, 20 SOG and a +11 plus/minus through 25 games this season.

Olli Maatta
Nate Schmidt has been placed on the injured reserve with an upper-body injury.

Schmidt left Thursday's contest vs. Nashville after just seven shifts and 5:30 TOI due to an upper-body injury and will head to the injured reserve Friday. Schmidt will be forced to miss action for the first time this season after collecting three goals, six points, 37 SOG and a +6 plus/minus through 29 games prior to the injury.

Nate Schmidt
Vejmelka will start Friday vs. the Islanders.

Vejmelka stopped 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) to snap a two-game winning streak as he was beaten by San Jose in his previous start. Vejmelka has been one of the Coyotes' lone bright spots, with his 8-8-3 record, 3.07 GAA and .913 SV%. He will face the New York Islanders, who lost in a shootout vs. Boston in their last game, but are ninth in the NHL in goals allowed per game (2.77).

Karel Vejmelka