Borikov was a fourth-round pick, 110th overall, by the Utah Mammoth in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old forward spent the previous season in the KHL, where he scored 30 points (16G / 14A) in 59 games with Minsk Dynamo.
The Mammoth have squandered third-period leads multiple times in their opening-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights, and find themselves on the brink of elimination, down 3-2 heading into Game Six. Vejemelka's play in his last two games has been concerning, losing both outings in overtime and allowing a combined 10 goals on 74 shots (.865 SV%), more than he has allowed in any two-game stretch during the regular season. The Mammoth enter a must-win Game Six on Friday as slight -101 home underdogs.
Utah's Head Coach Andre Tourigny insisted there were several game-time decisions heading into Friday's Game Six. He did not mention Mikhail Sergachev or Sean Durzi by name, but they were notably absent from the team's morning skate, suggesting their status may be uncertain. The 27-year-old Durzi is averaging 17:07 time-on-ice and has two assists through five games this postseason.
Utah's Head Coach Andre Tourigny insisted there were several game-time decisions heading into Friday's Game Six. He did not mention Mikhail Sergachev or Sean Durzi by name, but they were notably absent from the team's morning skate, suggesting their status may be uncertain. The 27-year-old Sergachev is averaging 28:24 time-on-ice and has four assists through five games this postseason.
McBain returned from a three-week absence due to an injury to play in Game One against the Vegas Golden Knights, but immediately returned to the sidelines for Game Two and has not played since. That said, the 26-year-old forward is nearing a return and could be an option on Friday in Game Six. He recorded 25 points (9G / 16A) and 271 hits in 75 games this season.
The Mammoth have squandered third-period leads multiple times in their opening-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights, and find themselves on the brink of elimination, down 3-2 heading into Game Six. Vejemelka's play in his last two games has been concerning, losing both outings in overtime and allowing a combined 10 goals on 74 shots (.865 SV%), more than he has allowed in any two-game stretch during the regular season. The Mammoth enter a must-win Game Six on Friday as slight -101 home underdogs.
Hayton will make his 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs debut despite Mammoth head coach André Tourigny declaring earlier in the day that he would not play. The 25-year-old forward 25 points (10G / 15A) in 67 games this season.
O'Brien will take a seat in Game 5 in order to make way for the return of Barrett Hayton (upper-body). O'Brien has one assist in three games in the opening series against the Golden Knights.
Within a few minutes of the second period in Game Four, Vejmelka had already allowed three goals, down 3-0, but Utah stormed back, eventually sending the game into overtime. That said, the 29-year-old Vejmelka allowed the game-winning goal late in the first overtime frame, one of five goals allowed on 36 shots (861 SV%) in the 5-4 loss. Still, the Czech goalie has been mostly serviceable in his introduction to playoff hockey, posting a 2.80 GAA and .899 SV% through four games (2-2). The Mammoth hope to take a 3-2 series lead over the Vegas Golden Knights, entering Game Five as +141 road underdogs.
Within a few minutes of the second period in Game Four, Vejmelka had already allowed three goals, down 3-0, but Utah stormed back, eventually sending the game into overtime. That said, the 29-year-old Vejmelka allowed the game-winning goal late in the first overtime frame, one of five goals allowed on 36 shots (861 SV%) in the 5-4 loss. Still, the Czech goalie has been mostly serviceable in his introduction to playoff hockey, posting a 2.80 GAA and .899 SV% through four games (2-2). The Mammoth hope to take a 3-2 series lead over the Vegas Golden Knights, entering Game Five as +141 road underdogs.
Hayton has not played in over a month due to an upper-body injury, but appears to be nearing a return. The 25-year-old forward averaged 25 points (10G / 15A) in 67 games this season. His next chance to return will be in Game Six.
Vejmelka will be looking to maintain his excellent form on Monday night as the Mammoth aim to take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Golden Knights. Utah's franchise netminder was outstanding in a 4-2 victory in Game 3, turning away 30 of the 32 shots he faced. Vejmelka's SV% sits at .916 through the opening three games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Mammoth enter action in Game 4 as the slightest of underdogs at +105 on the money line.
Utah will of course roll with their number-one netminder as they look to take a 2-1 series lead over the Golden Knights on Friday. Just as he was all season long, Vejmelka has been a calming presence in goal for the Mammoth to start the playoffs, posting a .902 SV% across the opening two games. The Mammoth will enter their first home playoff game in franchise history at -105 on the money line.
Nine years into his career, O'Brien will finally get the chance to make his post-season debut on Tuesday after serving as a healthy scratch for the opening game of the series. He'll take the place of Jack McBain, who is out with an undisclosed injury.
McBain just returned from nearly a three-week absence for the opening game of Utah's round one series against the Golden Knights, and he unfortunately is once again unavailable on Tuesday. Liam O'Brien will draw into the lineup in his place.
