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Utah Mammoth News

Sean Durzi (lower body) will be out Tuesday vs. Pittsburgh.

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.

Sean Durzi
Durzi (lower-body) is not on the ice for warmups and is not expected to play in Buffalo on Monday.

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.

Sean Durzi
Sean Durzi (lower body) will be a game-time decision Monday vs. Buffalo.

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.

Sean Durzi
Karel Vejmelka will start Monday at Buffalo.

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.

Karel Vejmelka
Sean Durzi (lower body) will be a game-time decision Thursday vs. Philadelphia.

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.

Sean Durzi
Sean Durzi (lower body) is day-to-day and doubtful for Thursday vs. Philadelphia.

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.

Sean Durzi
Vanecek will start in Vancouver on Tuesday.

Vanecek will return to the Devils' crease for the first time since November 28th after Akira Schmid got the nod in each of New Jersey's last two games. Vanecek has been unable to find his form all season long and has struggled especially of late, posting an ugly .848 SV% across his last four appearances. Thanks to some great goal support, Vanecek does own an 8-5-0 record on the season despite his .879 SV% and 3.49 GAA. He'll have his hands full again on Tuesday in a difficult road matchup against the Canucks.

Vitek Vanecek
Nate Schmidt will be a healthy scratch Saturday vs. Chicago.

Schmidt will be a healthy scratch on Saturday, allowing Declan Chisholm to make his season debut. The 32-year-old Schmidt is averaging only 16:51 time-on-ice through 20 games this season, significantly less than the 19:16 he has averaged over his career. He has one point (0G / 1A), a -4 plus/minus, 23 blocks, and nine hits.

Nate Schmidt
Juuso Valimaki (mouth) will return to the Coyotes' lineup Thursday vs. Colorado.

Valimaki will play his first game since November 14th, when he took a puck to the face. Before his injury, Valimaki skated predominantly alongside Troy Stecher and recorded four points (0G / 4A) in 15 games while averaging 18:13 time-on-ice.

Juuso Valimaki
Vanecek will start against the Islanders on Tuesday.

Vanecek is coming off his lightest workload of the season, facing only 12 shots in a 7-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, and will be the Devils' starter once again on Tuesday. The four-year NHL pro has never had a sub.-908 SV% or above 2.69 GAA to end a season but is currently sporting an ugly .884 SV% and 3.32 GAA. Vanecek has only five quality starts in 13 games, a trend that shows no signs of reversing. That said, he continues to be the Devils' go-to option between the pipes and could be in for a better-than-usual performance as the Devils are -156 home favourites against a New York Islanders team that scores the third-fewest goals in the league (2.55 GF / GP).

Vitek Vanecek
Brandon Tanev (lower body) is out Tuesday vs. Chicago and considered day-to-day.

Tanev played just 3:37 TOI before leaving Friday's loss to the Canucks and will not play on Tuesday but does not expect to be out long-term. Tye Kartye moved up to the second line with Tanev out and the Kraken recalled Marian Studenic from the AHL on Tuesday morning.

Brandon Tanev
Vitek Vanecek was the first goalie off the ice at the Devils' morning skate.

Vanecek is coming off his lightest workload of the season, facing only 12 shots in a 7-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, and appears to be the Devils' starter once again on Tuesday. The four-year NHL pro has never had a sub.-908 SV% or above 2.69 GAA to end a season but is currently sporting an ugly .884 SV% and 3.32 GAA. Vanecek has only five quality starts in 13 games, a trend that shows no signs of reversing. That said, he continues to be the Devils' go-to option between the pipes and could be in for a better-than-usual performance as the Devils are -156 home favourites against a New York Islanders team that scores the third-fewest goals in the league (2.55 GF / GP).

Vitek Vanecek