Vanecek allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Capitals loss to the Flyers on Saturday. Vanecek has now given up 13 goals on 111 shots (.883 SV%) in his last five appearances (four starts). He draws a nice matchup on Monday with the Sabres in town--Buffalo has lost four in a row while being outscored 17-to-10.
Connauton did not finish Wednesday's game vs. the Bruins and will be a game-time decision on Friday. Look for Markus Nutivaara to replace Connauton if he can't play.
The Coyotes lost four players to injury in their loss to the Panthers on Tuesday and one of them was Nick Schmaltz, who Hayton will replace. Hayton has had a slow start to the season in the AHL, picking up just one assist in four games.
Schmaltz played through the injury in the Florida game but is not expected to play Thursday in Tampa according to head coach André Tourigny. The Coyotes are extremely banged up right now, so Barrett Hayton has been recalled from the AHL to take Schmaltz's places.
