VITEK VANECEK NEWS

Ruled out next two games Vanecek (lower body) won't be available for the Devils' next two contests, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports Thursday.

Impact Vanecek has reportedly recovered from an illness that was hampering his recovery but is still dealing with his lower-body problem. With the Czech backstop on the shelf, Nico Daws will get the nod versus the Kings on Thursday and could also be between the pipes for Saturday's Stadium Series matchup with Philadelphia.

FEBRUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Devils injury updates: Vitek Vanecek, Dougie Hamilton, Ondrej Palat, more Devils coach Lindy Ruff provided injury updates ahead of his team's bout with the Kings on Thursday.

FEBRUARY 15 • NJ.COM

Not suiting up Tuesday Vanecek (lower body/illness) won't dress for Tuesday's game versus the Predators, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.

Impact Nico Daws is starting in Nashville and Akira Schmid is the backup, leaving Vanecek out of action for a second straight game. It's unclear which issue is keeping Vanecek out this time, though the lower-body injury is likely of more concern than the illness even though both are expected to be short-term ailments. The 28-year-old's next chance to play is Thursday versus the Kings.

FEBRUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Under the weather and injured Vanecek is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury and an illness, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.

Impact With Vanecek sidelined, Nico Daws is set to get the start in goal Monday against the Kraken. According to coach Lindy Ruff, "it might be a day or two" until Vanecek is ready to return, which suggests there's still a chance the 28-year-old netminder will be available against the Predators on Tuesday.

FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Starting versus Hurricanes Vanecek will protect the road goal Saturday versus the Hurricanes, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.

Impact Vanecek will make his fourth straight start despite allowing 11 goals on 107 shots over his previous three outings. His last appearance against the Hurricanes was a relief outing in which he stopped all 11 shots he faced. For now, it appears Vanecek has reclaimed the No. 1 job over Nico Daws, but it's a tenuous grip for the veteran netminder.

FEBRUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Third straight start Vanecek made 25 saves Thursday in a 5-3 loss to the Flames.

Impact It was his third straight start (1-2-0), and he has allowed 11 goals in that span. The Devils were good in the first, bad in the second and then chasing the Flames in the third. Vanecek wasn't awful, but he doesn't seem to have the ability to steal games. And his 3.26 GAA and .887 save percentage don't inspire confidence. The Devils could make a move for goalie by the deadline and that would likely chase Vanecek to the bench. Don't count on him if he Devils somehow start to push for the postseason.

FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Devils' Lindy Ruff after another Vitek Vanecek dud: 'It was a tough night for him' Coach Lindy Ruff said Vanecek had a “tough night in goal" after his club's 5-3 loss to Calgary.

FEBRUARY 9 • NJ.COM

Set to start Thursday Vanecek is slated to get the starting nod against the Flames at home Thursday, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports

Impact Vanecek will be between the pipes for his fifth straight contest despite posting a 3.35 GAA and .901 save percentage in his last four outings. Still, the 28-year-old backstop walked away with a 2-1-0 record and seems to have retaken the starting job from Nico Daws.

FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Defeats Avalanche Vanecek stopped 35 of 38 shots in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Avalanche.

Impact Vanecek faced a tough test, but outside of giving up two goals in 29 seconds in the third period, he fared well. The 28-year-old has won three of his last four starts despite allowing 13 goals in that span. He's now at 17-8-2 with a 3.23 GAA and an .888 save percentage through 30 outings this season. Vanecek and Nico Daws were splitting starts just before the All-Star break, but it's possible Vanecek is given a chance to reclaim the No. 1 job soon. The Devils host the Flames on Thursday.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Tending twine Tuesday Vanecek will patrol the home crease Tuesday against Colorado, per Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site.

Impact Vanecek has gone 3-1-1 with an .899 save percentage over his past six appearances. Through 29 games played this season, he has posted a 16-8-2 record with a 3.24 GAA and an .886 save percentage. The Avalanche sit second in the league this campaign with 3.78 goals per contest.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Tending twine Tuesday Vanecek will patrol the home crease Tuesday against Colorado, per Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site.

Impact Vanecek has gone 3-1-1 with an .899 save percentage over his past six appearances. Through 29 games played this season, he has posted a 16-8-2 record with a 3.24 GAA and an .886 save percentage. The Avalanche sit second in the league this campaign with 3.78 goals per contest.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Solid not good enough Vanecek made 36 saves in a 6-3 loss to the Lightning on Saturday. He allowed four goals.

Impact He was solid, which is a lot more to say than his season so far. His .886 save percentage and 3.24 GAA are a big part of why the Devils are staring up -- waaaaaay up -- at a Wild Card spot. But still, Vanecek is 3-2-1 in his last six starts, and he has allowed four or more goals four times in that span. Little wonder the Devils have been in the market for another goalie.

JANUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to start Saturday Vanecek will guard the road net against Tampa Bay on Saturday, per Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site.

Impact Vanecek has a 16-7-2 record, 3.21 GAA and .885 save percentage in 28 outings in 2023-24. He stopped the 11 shots he faced in a relief appearance during Thursday's 3-2 loss to Carolina. Tampa Bay, which is in a three-way tie for seventh offensively this year with 3.43 goals per game, will be a difficult adversary for Vanecek.

JANUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Makes 11 saves in relief Vanecek stopped 11 Hurricanes shots in a relief appearance during a 3-2 loss to Carolina on Thursday.

Impact Vanecek entered the game early in the second period after Nico Daws surrendered three goals on 12 shots. With the Devils down 3-0 when Vanecek entered the contest, he ultimately wasn't charged with the loss. The 28-year-old netminder has a 16-7-2 record, 3.21 GAA and .885 save percentage in 28 outings this season. Daws has been struggling lately, which increases the chases that Vanecek will get the nod in Saturday's road game versus Tampa Bay.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Hangs on for overtime victory Vanecek allowed five goals on 32 shots in Monday's 6-5 overtime win against the Golden Knights.

Impact Vanecek got off to a shaky start, allowing an early first period goal, then his offense staked him to a 3-1 lead. He allowed four unanswered goals in the second period, but once again his offense bailed him out. Luckily for Vanecek, Tyler Toffoli and Curtis Lazar were on another plane, and the veteran Toffoli made a winner of the goaltender at 2:35 of overtime to send the crowd away happy.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Guarding cage Monday Vanecek will get the starting nod for Monday's home matchup against Vegas, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.

Impact Vanecek is coming off one of his best performances of the year, stopping 29 of 30 shots in a win over the Blue Jackets on Friday. However, the 28-year-old hasn't put together consecutive wins since Dec. 23 and 27. Over his last four outings, he's coughed up 12 goals on 106 shots. Vanecek is 15-7-2 with a 3.22 GAA and an .885 save percentage through 26 games this season.

JANUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Holds Blue Jackets to one goal Vanecek stopped 29 of 30 shots in a 4-1 win over Columbus on Friday.

Impact Vanecek was beaten by Cole Sillinger just 4:21 into the contest, but he shook it off and was perfect for the rest of the night. He improved to 15-7-2 with a 3.22 GAA and an .885 save percentage in 26 outings in 2023-24. The 28-year-old's overall struggles this campaign have allowed Nico Daws to challenge for the starting gig, and it will take more than one strong start out of Vanecek to reassert himself as the clear No. 1 goalie.

JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Guarding cage Friday Vanecek will get the starting nod in Columbus, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.

Impact Vanecek will make his first appearance since coughing up four goals on 20 shots in a loss to Tampa Bay on Jan. 11. The 28-year-old netminder has gone 2-1-1 since the holiday break despite an unsightly .867 save percentage during that stretch. On the year, he's 14-7-2 with a 3.31 GAA and an .882 save percentage through 25 games.

JANUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Shaky in OT loss Vanecek allowed four goals on 20 shots in Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Lightning.

Impact The Devils posted a plus-10 shot differential in this road contest, but the Bolts supplied three straight goals in regulation and Vanecek was ultimately handed the overtime loss due to a slick top-shelf wrist shot from Daniel Raddysh. While Vanecek has an uninspiring 3.31 GAA and .882 save percentage, the Devils rank fifth in the league in goals per game (3.54) to help the netminder boast a 14-7-2 record through 25 games.

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Taking on Tampa Bay Vanecek will patrol the road crease versus the Lightning on Thursday, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.

Impact Vanecek was rock solid in his last start Friday versus the Blackhawks, turning aside 23 of 25 shots en route to a 4-2 victory. He'll try to secure his 15th win of the year in a road matchup with a Tampa Bay team that's 12-5-3 at home this year.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Back in win column Friday Vanecek made 23 saves in Friday's 4-2 win over Chicago.

Impact He gave up a power-play goal in the first period and a shortie in the second, but Vanecek stood tall in the third as the Devils took control of the game. The 27-year-old netminder has gone 6-2-1 in nine starts since the beginning of November thanks to solid offensive support, but his 2.99 GAA and .892 save percentage during that stretch have kept New Jersey in the market for an upgrade in the crease.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Gets starting nod Vanecek will be between the pipes at home against the Blackhawks on Friday, per NHL.com.

Impact Vanecek is sporting a 3.40 GAA and 2-2-1 record over his last five outings, a far cry from the start of the season when he went 6-2-0 through his opening eight appearances. Despite his recent slump, the backstop is unlikely to lose the starting job to Nico Daws or AHL netminder Keith Kinkaid.

JANUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Among NHL's worst at position Vanecek made 27 saves in a 5-2 loss to the Bruins on Saturday.

Impact His mates staked him to a 2-0 lead just 1:11 into the second period, but the drain opened from that point forward. Vanecek's .883 save percentage is among the NHL's worst - he's 53rd-of-57 netminders. He's in the same class as Ilya Samsonov, Antti Ranta, Anton Forsberg and Arvid Soderblom. Soderblom has a reason - his team is porous. Vanecek needs to be stapled to your bench or released.

DECEMBER 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tending twine versus Bruins Vanecek will protect the road goal versus the Bruins on Saturday, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.

Impact Vanecek has gone 5-1-1 with a 2.84 GAA and an .896 save percentage over seven outings in December. He's given up three or more goals in four of those games. The Bruins have scored just 15 times over their last six contests, but they have a strong enough offense to still present a challenge for Vanecek.

DECEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Does just enough for OT win Vanecek allowed three goals on 29 shots in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Blue Jackets.

Impact Vanecek improved to 13-6-1 with the win, as New Jersey erased a trio of one-goal deficits to repeatedly bail Vanecek out. This result continued a common theme, as Vanecek has frequently won despite posting unimpressive numbers -- his 3.26 GAA and .885 save percentage this season are both far worse than his career 2.68 and .906 marks.

DECEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE