Schmaltz played 21:23 in the Coyotes' last game on Tuesday but suffered an undisclosed injury that will make him a game-time decision on Friday. Schmaltz has been held without a point in four straight games, his worst skid this season.
Durzi played on Saturday after sitting out the Coyotes' previous contest due to a lower-body injury but was unable to play on Monday and will be unavailable for a second straight game on Tuesday as he continues to recover from a lingering lower-body injury. After a strong start to the season, scoring 12 points (5G / 7A) in 16 games, Durzi has only scored one point (0G / 1A) in his last nine.
Ingram served as the backup yesterday for the first time in over two weeks and will return to the starter's crease on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. After an incredible five-game stretch (5-0-0) that included two shutouts and a marvellous .968 SV%, Ingram has dropped two straight contests, allowing nine goals on 55 shots (.836 SV%). Ingram has been resilient all season and will look to rebound despite the Coyotes being +173 road underdogs against a Penguins team that has struggled to score goals, losing four straight contests (0-2-2).
Kesselring was a healthy scratch for Saturday's game against the Bruins but will return to the lineup on Monday in place of the injured Sean Durzi (lower-body). The 23-year-old defenseman has no goals and five assists in ten games this season.
Durzi played on Saturday after sitting out the Coyotes' previous contest due to a lower-body injury but was a game-time decision on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres as he continues to nurse his ailment. After a strong start to the season, scoring 12 points (5G / 7A) in 16 games, Durzi has only scored one point (0G / 1A) in his last nine.
Durzi played on Saturday after sitting out the Coyotes' previous contest due to a lower-body injury but will be a game-time decision on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres as he continues to nurse his ailment. After a strong start to the season, scoring 12 points (5G / 7A) in 16 games, Durzi has only scored one point (0G / 1A) in his last nine. If he can play, he will likely skate alongside J.J. Moser at even strength and quarterback the top powerplay unit.
After alternating starts evenly for the first six weeks of the season, Vejmelka has served as the backup for the last two weeks as Connor Ingram has demanded the crease, playing exception hockey over that stretch. Vejmelka will start for the first time since November 22nd and hope this extended rest can help him get his season on track, as he has a subpar 3.45 GAA and 892 SV% in 11 games (2-6-2). With Ingram faltering over his last two games, Vejmelka will once again have the chance to win some starts between the pipes as the Coyotes are +112 road underdogs against the Buffalo Sabres.
Bortuzzo has yet to pick up a point while only appearing in four games thus far in 2023-24 with St. Louis and has been dealt to the New York Islanders for a 2024 7th round pick. The 34-year-old defensemen is in the second year of a two-year, $1.9 million contract ($950,000 AAV) and will replace Ryan Pulock (lower body), who was placed on the Injured Reserve earlier Friday.
Durzi exited Monday's game against the Washington Capitals with a lower-body injury in the first period. Despite playing only 4:02 time-on-ice, Durzi recorded a point (0G / 1A), snapping a seven-game pointless skid.
Durzi exited Monday's game against the Washington Capitals with a lower-body injury in the first period. Despite playing only 4:02 time-on-ice, Durzi recorded a point (0G / 1A), snapping a seven-game pointless skid. Durzi and Travis Dermott (hand) will both be game-time decisions for the Coyotes on Thursday.
Ingram has taken over the Coyotes net, rightfully so, and will start his sixth straight game. Ingram has been the backbone for the Coyotes during their five-game winning streak, in which he has two shutouts, and they have outscored the opposition 19-5. Ingram has been amongst the league's best and most consistent netminders this season, boasting a 2.23 GAA and .930 SV% through 15 games (11-3-0). The Coyotes are slight -102 home underdogs but mustn't be overlooked as they enter their matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers playing their most complete hockey this season.
Durzi left the Coyotes' previous game vs. Washington after just 4:02 TOI with a lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day and doubtful to play Thursday. The 25-year-old has been enjoying a strong first season in Arizona after being dealt in the offseason, with his five goals, eight assists, 42 SOG, 29 PIMs and +10 plus/minus in 24 games prior to his injury.
After evenly alternating starts with Karel Vejmelka for the first six weeks of the season, Ingram has settled in as the undisputed favourite between the pipes for the Coyotes, deservedly starting for the fifth straight game on Monday against the Washington Capitals. Ingram has been sensational this season, boasting a 2.40 GAA and .925 SV% in 14 games (10-3-0), and seems to be getting stronger as the season progresses, allowing only five goals in his last four games (4-0-0), posting a gaudy .961 SV%. Ingram looks poised for another strong performance on Monday as the Coyotes are -126 home favourites against a Capitals team that has scored more than two goals only once in their last five games (2-3-0).
Kelemen played four of the last five games for the Coyotes but will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Juuso Valimaki to return to the lineup. The Slovak-born Keleman averaged 7:15 time-on-ice, registering four hits, two shots, and zero points in four games.
