Utah Hockey Club News
Marino missed the Devils' previous game due to illness and was a game-time decision on Thursday vs. New York. The 26-year-old shutdown defenseman has enjoyed yet another strong defensive season as he has four goals, 19 points, 45 SOG, 16 PIMs and a -7 plus/minus through 54 games played before his injury.
Marino missed the Devils' previous game due to illness and will be a game-time decision on Thursday vs. New York. The 26-year-old shutdown defenseman has enjoyed yet another strong defensive season as he has four goals, 19 points, 45 SOG, 16 PIMs and a -7 plus/minus through 54 games played before his injury.
Bortuzzo has been out of the lineup since January 2nd with a lower-body injury and appeared to be nearing a comeback after returning to practice recently but has since had a setback. The 34-year-old Bortuzzo has been held without a point in 15 games this season while tallying 21 hits and 20 blocks.
Villalta made his first career NHL start earlier this week and allowed five goals on 25 shots (.800 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. He will return to the Tuscon Roadrunners of the AHL, indicating that Connor Ingram is likely nearing his return to the Coyotes roster.
Vejmelka had the day off on Monday but will return to the crease on Wednesday, re-assuming his duties as the starting netminder while Connor Ingram is injured. Ingram has allowed four or more goals in three of his last four games (0-4-0) and has failed to record a victory in nine straight appearances. That said, Vejmelka has been outstanding against the Toronto Maple Leafs in his career, posting a 2.00 GAA and .943 SV% in three games (3-0-0).
Villalta made a brief appearance in the Coyotes' loss to the Hurricanes on Friday, stopping all four shots that he faced. The 24-year-old was a third-round pick of the Kings in 2017 and signed with the Coyotes this Sumer. In his first season with Tucson (AHL), Villalta has gone 22-11-1 with a 2.58 GAA and .913 SV%. Unfortunately for him, he draws as difficult a matchup as you could imagine for your first start.
Villalta made a brief appearance in the Coyotes' loss to the Hurricanes on Friday, stopping all four shots that he faced. The 24-year-old was a third-round pick of the Kings in 2017 and signed with the Coyotes this Sumer. In his first season with Tucson (AHL), Villalta has gone 22-11-1 with a 2.58 GAA and .913 SV%. Unfortunately for him, he draws as difficult a matchup as you could imagine for your first start.
Vejmelka allowed five goals on 26 shots in the Coyotes' loss to the Hurricanes on Friday. Vejmelka has not recorded a win since December 27th, going 0-6-0 with an .876 SV% in his last eight outings. The Coyotes draw a tough matchup in Colorado and come in on an eight-game losing streak, averaging just 2.1 goals for and 4.5 goals against per game.
With Connor Ingram out of the lineup due to an injury, Vejmelka will start on Friday for the Coyotes and be their go-to option between the pipes. Vejmelka saved 12 of 13 shots (.923 SV%) in relief on Wednesday in a 3-1 losing effort to the Minnesota Wild. The Coyotes will need Vejmelka to be stellar on Friday night, a tall task for a struggling netminder behind a team riding a seven-game losing streak that is a +178 home underdog against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Carcone has not played since February 8th, missing three games, but will re-enter the lineup on Friday. The 27-year-old Carcone has 20 points (15G / 5A) in 46 games this season but has been held off the scoresheet in his last five.
With Connor Ingram out of the lineup due to an injury, Vejmelka will likely start on Friday for the Coyotes and be their go-to option between the pipes. Vejmelka saved 12 of 13 shots (.923 SV%) in relief on Wednesday in a 3-1 losing effort to the Minnesota Wild. The Coyotes will need Vejmelka to be stellar on Friday night, a tall task for a struggling netminder behind a team riding a seven-game losing streak that is a +178 home underdog against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Connor Ingram suffered an injury on Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild and did not complete the contest. Luckily for the Coyotes, Ingram's injury is not expected to be long-term. Villalta has a 2.58 GAA and .913 SV% in 34 games (22-11-1) with the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL) this season and will serve as the backup to Karel Vejmelka in the interim.
O'Brien was a late scratch on Monday night and will remain out of the lineup on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury. O'Brien has three goals and five assists in 49 games this season.