Utah Hockey Club News

Marino (illness) will play against the Rangers on Thursday.

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.

John Marino
Marino (illness) will be a game-time decision on Thursday vs. New York.

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.

John Marino
Bortuzzo (lower body) suffered a setback during his rehab and is now considered out Indefinitely.

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.

Robert Bortuzzo
Villalta has been reassigned to Tucson (AHL) on Thursday.

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.

Matt Villalta
Vejmelka will start on Wednesday vs. Toronto.

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).

Karel Vejmelka
Villalta will make his NHL debut on Monday as he starts vs. Edmonton.

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.

Matt Villalta
Villalta is expected to make his first career NHL start on Monday.

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.

Matt Villalta
Vejmelka will start Sunday in Colorado.

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.

Karel Vejmelka
Vejmelka will start on Friday vs. Carolina.

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.

Karel Vejmelka
Vejmelka was in the starter's crease for Friday's morning skate.

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.

Karel Vejmelka
Villalta has been recalled from Tucson (AHL) on Thursday.

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.

Matt Villalta
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