The Coyotes reassigned Villalta to AHL Tucson on Thursday.
Villalta was recalled a week ago when Connor Ingram suffered an undisclosed injury. Villalta managed to get into a pair of games -- stopping all four shots in relief of Karel Vejmelka on Feb. 16 and then giving up five goals on 25 shots in a 6-3 loss to Edmonton on Monday. This could be good news for the Coyotes, as it appears that Ingram is ready to return.
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Coyotes' Matt Villalta: Loses first NHL start
Rotowire
Villalta allowed five goals on 25 shots during Monday's 6-3 loss to Edmonton. The sixth goal was an empty-netter.
Villalta's second NHL game and first start didn't go very well. The Coyotes led 3-2 after the second period, but Villalta allowed three goals in a span of 2:03 in the final frame. The 24-year-old goalie is likely to head back to AHL Tucson once Connor Ingram (undisclosed) gets healthy.
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Coyotes' Matt Villalta: Slated to start Monday
Rotowire
Villalta is expected to start Monday's home matchup against Edmonton, according to Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports.
The Coyotes plan to give Villalta his first NHL start in the second half of the team's back-to-back after Karel Vejmelka plays in Colorado on Sunday. The 24-year-old Villalta made a relief appearance against the Hurricanes on Friday, stopping all four shots faced in 13:39 of ice time. The Oilers rank fifth in the league this campaign with 3.51 goals per contest.
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Coyotes' Matt Villalta: Makes NHL debut in relief outing
Rotowire
Villalta stopped all four shots he faced in relief of Karel Vejmelka on Friday in a 5-1 loss to the Hurricanes.
Villalta was called in for mop-up duty, playing 13:39 at the end of the third period in the lopsided loss. The 24-year-old should be in the backup role for the Coyotes until Connor Ingram (undisclosed) is cleared to return to play. Villalta could get a start during his time in the NHL, as the Coyotes have a back-to-back up next with games Sunday in Colorado and Monday at home versus the Oilers.
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Coyotes' Matt Villalta: Set to be recalled
Rotowire
Villalta is on track to be promoted from AHL Tucson on Thursday, Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports reports.
Connor Ingram is sidelined with an undisclosed injury, so Villalta will take over as the Coyotes' No. 2 netminder behind Karel Vejmelka for the time being. Villalta has yet to make his NHL debut.
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Coyotes' Matt Villalta: Hits waivers
Rotowire
Villalta was waived by Arizona on Monday to send him to AHL Tucson.
Villalta posted a 12-8-1 record with a 2.65 GAA and a .910 save percentage in 22 games for AHL Ontario last season. If he clears, the 24-year-old netminder will compete for playing time with the Roadrunners this campaign.
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Coyotes' Matt Villalta: Signs with Coyotes
Rotowire
Villalta signed a one-year, two-way deal with Arizona on Saturday, Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports reports.
Villalta spent the last four seasons in the Kings' minor league system. He was 12-8-1 with a 2.65 GAA and .910 save percentage with AHL Ontario in 2022-23. Look for Villalta to start the season with AHL Tucson in 2023-24.
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Kings' Matt Villalta: Making start Wednesday
Rotowire
Villalta will guard the home goal Wednesday versus the Sharks, Eric Stephens of The Athletic reports.
Villalta will get the nod in this contest as the starter, though he may still play just half the game or two periods before giving way to a backup. The 23-year-old projects as the Kings' No. 3 goalie this year, meaning he'll begin with AHL Ontario unless Cal Petersen (undisclosed) is sidelined at the start of the campaign.
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Kings' Matt Villalta: Signs two-way deal
Rotowire
Villata signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with the Kings on Thursday, per PuckPedia.
Villalta is still likely third on the Kings' goaltending depth chart at best, with Jonathan Quick and Cal Petersen likely to occupy the top two spots. As such, Villalta will probably spend most or all of 2022-23 with AHL Ontario.
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Kings' Matt Villalta: Recalled Friday
Rotowire
Villalta was called up from AHL Ontario prior to Saturday's Game 7 per John Hoven of SiriusXM NHL Network Radio
Villalta will slot back in as Los Angeles' third goaltender behind Jonathan Quick and Cal Petersen. The 22-year-old netminder has yet to see any NHL action after posting a 28-10-10 record with a .903 save percentage with Ontario.
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Kings' Matt Villalta: Joins big club
Rotowire
Villalta was called up from AHL Ontario under emergency conditions Thursday, per CapFriendly.
Villalta is likely only going to serve as emergency goaltending depth during his time with the big club. Jonathan Quick and Cal Petersen are both healthy and remain the Kings' top netminders.
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Kings' Matt Villalta: Back with Reign
Rotowire
Villalta was reassigned to AHL Ontario on Tuesday, per LA KIngs' Insider Jared Shafran.
Villalta has yet to make his NHL debut since during pro beginning with the 2019-20 campaign. The 2017 third-round selection could make his first NHL appearance at some point this year but shouldn't be expected to secure a regular lineup spot at the NHL level.
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Kings' Matt Villalta: Back with taxi squad
Rotowire
Villalta was elevated to the taxi squad from AHL Ontario on Friday.
Villalta could be on hand as an emergency option in goal for Sunday's game versus the Devils. The 2017 third-round pick has yet to make his NHL debut.
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Kings' Matt Villalta: Dropped to AHL affiliate
Rotowire
Villalta was reassigned to AHL Ontario on Friday.
Villalta will trade places with Jacob Ingham, who was promoted to LA's taxi squad in a corresponding move Friday. Villalta, a 2017 third-round pick, has yet to make his NHL debut.
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Kings' Matt Villalta: Departs AHL for taxi squad
Rotowire
Villtalta was recalled from AHL Ontario to the taxi squad Wednesday.
He hasn't played an NHL contest this year, and even if Jonathan Quick remains out with an upper-body injury, both Cal Petersen and Troy Grosenick are ahead of Villalta on the depth cart.
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Kings' Matt Villalta: Up to taxi squad
Rotowire
Villalta was promoted to the taxi squad Tuesday, per CapFriendly.
Villalta will serve as emergency depth with Jonathan Quick (upper body) questionable ahead of Wednesday's game versus the Coyotes. Regardless of Quick's status, Villalta is unlikely to appear in an NHL game at this time.
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Kings' Matt Villalta: Shuffles to AHL
Rotowire
Villalta was assigned to AHL Ontario on Monday, Lisa Dillman of The Athletic reports.
Troy Grosenick will take Villalta's spot on the taxi squad. Villalta, 21, will benefit from a more consistent role with the minor-league affiliate. He has a lot of development left before making the leap, as he's generated an .872 save percentage and a 3-6-0 record through 10 AHL appearances.
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Kings' Matt Villalta: Promoted to taxi squad
Rotowire
Villalta was added to the Kings' taxi squad Sunday, per CapFriendly.
Villalta will switch places with Troy Grosenick, who was sent to the minors in a corresponding move. Villalta has yet to make his NHL debut.
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Kings' Matt Villalta: Joins taxi squad
Rotowire
Villalta was added to the taxi squad Friday, CapFriendly reports.
Villalta owns a 3.66 GAA and an .870 save percentage through eight AHL games this season and has yet to make his NHL debut.
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Kings' Matt Villalta: Shuffles to AHL
Rotowire
Villalta was assigned to AHL Ontario on Saturday, Lisa Dillman of The Athletic reports.
Villalta is being sent back down to the minors one day after he was called up. The 21-year-old has played eight games with the AHL affiliate this season, registering an .870 save percentage and a 3.66 GAA.
