Utah Mammoth News

Vejmelka struggled in Utah's previous game, allowing five goals on 26 shots (.808 SV%), but his team battled to salvage him a 6-5 overtime victory over the Edmonton Oilers. The 29-year-old Czech goalie has been wildly inconsistent since the beginning of March, despite a solid 8-4-1 record, posting a less-than-stellar 3.26 GAA and .879 SV%. The Mammoth enter Thursday's contest as -161 home favourites against a desperate Nashville Predators team that likely needs a win to stay in the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

Vejmelka struggled in Utah's previous game, allowing five goals on 26 shots (.808 SV%), but his team battled to salvage him a 6-5 overtime victory over the Edmonton Oilers. The 29-year-old Czech goalie has been wildly inconsistent since the beginning of March, despite a solid 8-4-1 record, posting a less-than-stellar 3.26 GAA and .879 SV%. The Mammoth enter Thursday's contest as -161 home favourites against a desperate Nashville Predators team that likely needs a win to stay in the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

O'Brien will take a seat on Tuesday as the Mammoth are opting to dress seven blue-liners. Mackenzie Weegar (upper-body) will return to the lineup in his place.

Weegar has not played in Utah's previous two games due to an upper-body injury, but will return to the lineup as soon as Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 32-year-old defenseman has four points (1G / 3A) in 13 games since joining Utah before the trade deadline, but he has been especially effective in recent outings, tallying three points (1G / 2A) in four games before his injury.

Vejmelka will make his league-leading 60th start of the season when the Mammoth host the Oilers on Tuesday. Utah's workhorse netminder collected his third-straight victory in his last start, allowing four goals on 23 shots in a 7-4 win in Vancouver on Saturday. Vejmelka carries a 35-19-3 record and an .897 SV% into Tuesday night's pivotal matchup against the Oilers, where the Mammoth enter action at -130 on the money line.

Weegar has not played in Utah's previous two games due to an upper-body injury, but he could return to the lineup as soon as Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 32-year-old defenseman has four points (1G / 3A) in 13 games since joining Utah before the trade deadline, but he has been especially effective in recent outings, tallying three points (1G / 2A) in four games before his injury.

Rooney played one game with the Mammoth earlier this season, but has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. The 32-year-old forward has 23 points (12G / 11A) in 43 games with season with the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL).

McBain exited Thursday's 6-2 win over the Seattle Kraken after only 9:00 time-on-ice. The severity of McBain's injury is unclear, but he was not officially ruled out from returning to the game upon first exiting, which may indicate the team is hopeful it is not a long-term concern. The 26-year-old McBain is averaging 13:51 time-on-ice, recording 25 points (9G / 16A) and 271 hits in 75 games this season.

Vejmelka will make his league-leading 58th start of the season when the Mammoth travel to Seattle on Thursday. Utah's workhorse netminder was outstanding in his last start, turning away 29 of the 31 shots he faced in a 6-2 win in Los Angeles on Saturday. Vejmelka carries a 33-19-3 record and an .898 SV% into Thursday night's matchup, where the Mammoth enter action at -135 on the money line.

But was recently recalled to fill in for injuries, but he will head back to the AHL. The 21-year-old 12th overall pick from the 2023 NHL Entry Draft has spent most of the season in the AHL, where he has 33 points (16G / 17A) in 34 games with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL).

Vanecek was excellent in relief of Karel Vejmelka on Tuesday, saving all 10 shots he faced, but the game was already out of reach for Utah, losing 5-2 to the Edmonton Oilers. The 30-year-old Vanecek has played well lately, posting an impressive 1.86 GAA and .923 SV% in five appearances (2-1-1) since the beginning of March. The Mammoth enter Thursday's contest as -137 home favourites against Vejmelka's former team, the Washington Capitals, who have only scored four combined goals in their last three games (1-1-1).