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.
The Coyotes gave Ingram a rare night off in their last outing in an attempt to snap a five-game losing skid but were unable to, losing 5-3 to the Philadelphia Flyers. The 26-year-old Ingram has allowed three or more goals in four straight (0-4-0), posting an ugly .857 SV%, well below his season average (.912 SV%). The Coyotes are slight -103 home underdogs against a Minnesota Wild club riding a three-game winning streak, including an impressive 5-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday.
Yamamoto will be the odd-man out on Tuesday as the Kraken look to get fresh legs into their lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Tye Kartye will draw into the lineup in Yamamoto's place.
O'Brien will be the odd-man out on Monday as Adam Ruzicka is set to make his Coyotes debut. O'Brien has three goals and five assists in 49 games this season.
Vejmelka has seen limited action between the pipes lately but will start on Monday after repeated poor outings by Connor Ingram. Vejmelka saved all 28 shots he faced entering Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in relief of Connor Ingram, who allowed three goals on six shots (.500 SV%) in the first period. It's not the first time Ingram has faltered this season, but Vejmelka has failed to take advantage of each opportunity to impress the Coyotes coaching staff. The Coyotes are +135 road underdogs against a Philidelphia Flyers squad riding a three-game winning streak.
Bortuzzo has been out of the lineup since January 2nd with a lower-body injury but appears to be nearing a return after being a full participant at practice on Friday. The 34-year-old Bortuzzo has been held without a point in 15 games this season while tallying 21 hits and 20 blocks.
Sergachev left Tampa Bay's game Wednesday vs. New York after a glaringly bad lower-body injury in his first game back from injury since December 19th and will now be out indefinitely after undergoing successful tibia and fibula surgery in his left leg. The 25-year-old will return to Tampa Bay to begin his rehab next week and possibly ends his 2023-24 season with only 19 points (2G/17A) in 34 games played.
Hayton has not played since mid-November and will make his long-awaited return to the lineup on Thursday. Before his injury, Hayton had four points (2G / 2A) in his last five games after being held without a single point in his previous 11.
Ingram will continue to lock down the Coyotes' crease as he makes his third straight start in the first game after Arizona's All-Star break. The 26-year-old was considered somewhat of an All-Star snub as he's broken out in his third NHL season with a 17-11-1 record, 2.61 GAA, .916 SV%, and five shutouts. He'll face the Vegas Golden Knights, who are riding a high after snapping Edmonton's 16-game win streak Tuesday and have won six of their last eight contest.
Sergachev was taken off the ice on a stretcher after following awkwardly on his lower leg in the second period of Wednesday's game against the Rangers. We should receive an update on the injury and a potential timeline for his return in the coming days.
Sergachev has not played since December 19th but will return to the lineup on Wednesday. Wednesday's tilt against the New York Rangers marks the first game Sergachev is eligible to return after being placed on LTIR in December. Sergachev had 19 points (2G / 17A) in 33 games before his injury.
Hayton has not played since mid-November but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. Before his injury, Hayton had four points (2G / 2A) in his last five games after being held without a single point in his previous 11.
Sergachev has not played since December 19th and will miss at least six more games. After being placed on long-term injured reserve, the earliest Sergachev can return to the lineup is on February 7th, which appears likely after he practised with the second powerplay unit at practice on Monday. Sergachev had 19 points (2G / 17A) in 33 games before his injury.
