Connauton was called up to potentially fill in for Robert Bortuzzo, who is likely to miss time with a lower-body injury. Connauton hasn't appeared in the NHL since playing 26 games with the Flyers in the 2021-22 season. The 34-year-old blueliner has 28 goals and 52 assists in 360 career games.
DeSimone played 11 games with the Devils last season, scoring two points (1G / 1A), but has primarily been an AHL players, playing only 38 career NHL games since his professional debut in the 2016-17 season. In nine games with the Utica Comets (AHL) this season, the 29-year-old DeSimone has two points (0G / 2A) and a -10 plus/minus.
The Coyotes have outscored their opposition 9-4 in their last two games (2-0-0) and will turn to Vejmelka between the pipes on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. The 28-year-old Vejmelka is putting up career-best numbers, posting a stellar 2.35 GAA and .917 SV% in 14 appearances (4-7-1). He has allowed two or fewer goals in five of his last seven (3-3-1), posting a .919 SV%. Utah enters Tuesday's contest as slight -106 home favorites against a Minnesota club coming off a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.
The Coyotes have outscored their opposition 9-4 in their last two games (2-0-0) and will likely turn to Vejmelka between the pipes on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. The 28-year-old Vejmelka is putting up career-best numbers, posting a stellar 2.35 GAA and .917 SV% in 14 appearances (4-7-1). He has allowed two or fewer goals in five of his last seven (3-3-1), posting a .919 SV%. Utah enters Tuesday's contest as slight -106 home favorites against a Minnesota club coming off a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.
The 27-year-old Ingram is battling an upper-body injury, originally not believed to be dealing with a serious injury, is sporting an ugly 3.61 GAA and .871 SV% in 13 games (6-4-3). Luckily for Utah HC, Karel Vejmelka has stepped in and been tremendous between the pipes during Ingram's absence.
For the ninth time in the last 10 games, Utah HC will turn to Vejmelka between the pipes. Since Connor Ingram went down with an upper-body injury, Vejmelka has been tremendous. The 28-year-old Czech netminder is flaunting the best season of his career, posting a 2.41 GAA and .917 SV% in 12 games (3-6-1). Utah HC enters the action on Monday as +120 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars club that played last night, defeating the Winnipeg Jets 3-1.
For the ninth time in the last 10 games, Utah HC will likely turn to Vejmelka between the pipes. Since Connor Ingram went down with an upper-body injury, Vejmelka has been tremendous. The 28-year-old Czech netminder is flaunting the best season of his career, posting a 2.41 GAA and .917 SV% in 12 games (3-6-1). Utah HC enters the action on Monday as +120 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars club that played last night, defeating the Winnipeg Jets 3-1.
Lamoureux missed Friday's game in Edmonton and was originally only announced as being day-to-day with the injury. The 20-year-old Lamoureux, in his first NHL season, is averaging 16:07 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 15 games.
Valimaki has not played since November 18th but will draw back into the lineup on Friday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 26-year-old Valimaki is averaging 17:00 time-on-ice and has zero points while recording 16 blocks and seven hits through 16 games.
Bortuzzo played only 4:51 time-on-ice before exiting his previous game with a lower-body injury. He missed practice on Thursday but will draw back into the lineup on Friday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 35-year-old defenseman is averaging 10:20 time-on-ice through nine games this season.
Vladislav Kolyachonok will draw back into Utah's lineup on Friday, replacing an injured Lamoureux. The 20-year-old Lamoureux, in his first NHL season, is averaging 16:07 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 15 games.
For the seventh time in the last eight games, Utah HC will roll with Vejmelka between the pipes. Vejmelka has been thrust into a starting role due to the injury of Connor Ingram (upper body) and has not disappointed. The 28-year-old Vejmelka boasts a terrific 2.25 GAA and .922 SV% in 11 games this season (3-6-0). He has allowed three or fewer goals in eight straight appearances (3-4-0), posting a superb .933 SV%. Utah HC enters Friday's contest as +139 home underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers club coming off an impressive 6-2 win over the New York Rangers.
With Connor Ingram (upper body) sidelined, Vejmelka has been thrust into the spotlight for Utah HC and has been admirable between the pipes lately. The Czech netminder boasts a stellar 2.30 GAA and .926 SV% in 10 appearances (2-6-0). In his previous three outings (1-2-0), Vejmelka has a .947 SV%, arguably showcasing the most consistent goaltending of his four-year NHL career. Utah HC enters Tuesday's contest as -125 road favorites against a Montreal Canadiens club that ranks in the bottom half of the league offensively.
