Utah Mammoth News

Vejmelka was solid in his most recent outing, despite not being heavily tested, saving 14 of 15 shots (.933 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks, and will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.52 GAA and .909 SV% in 35 games this season (14-15-4). Utah HC enters the action on Tuesday as sizeable -253 home favorites against a Blackhawks club outscored 16-8 during a three-game losing skid (0-2-1).

On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Sharks will turn to Vanecek between the pipes on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 29-year-old Vanecek had a forgetful final outing before the break for the 4Nations Face Off, allowing eight goals on 34 shots (.765 SV%) in an 8-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. He has an ugly 4.01 GAA and .878 SV% in 16 appearances this season (3-9-2). The Sharks enter Monday's contest as significant +393 road underdogs against a Jets squad amid a nine-game winning streak.

Vejmelka returned to practice on Thursday after being absent on Wednesday due to an illness. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has had a solid 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.57 GAA and .909 SV% in 34 games (13-15-4). Assuming he has no setback, Vejmelka will likely be between the pipes for Utah in one of their back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday.

Cooley did not play the previous six games for Utah HC before the break for the 4-Nations Face Off but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. The 20-year-old forward has been enjoying a tremendous season with Utah, scoring 43 points (15G / 28A) in 50 games.

It's unclear if Vejmelka will be ready to return to the lineup when Utah HC returns to action on Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has had a solid 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.57 GAA and .909 SV% in 34 games (13-15-4). If Vejmelka is still sidelined on Saturday, expect to see Connor Ingram between the pipes.

With Connor Ingram announced out day-to-day with an upper-body injury, Jaxson Stauber was recalled from Tucson (AHL) to back up Karel Vejmelka. The 25-year-old has performed exceptionally in his limited starts with Utah this season, posting a .925 SV%, 2.23 GAA and 2-1-1 record.

Durzi has missed Utah's previous 52 games with a shoulder injury but is expected to return to the lineup Saturday vs. Los Angeles. The 26-year-old offensively driven defenseman will make a welcome addition to Utah's back end after he started the season hot with two assists, three SOG and seven PIMs in his first four games before his lengthy injury absence.

Vanecek has not played an NHL game since suffering an upper-body injury on December 14th but will return to the crease on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. In a brief conditioning stint with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL), Vanecek posted a 2.00 GAA and .917 SV% in one game (1-0-0). He has a 3.84 GAA and .885 SV% in 14 appearances with the Sharks this season (3-8-1). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as +182 home underdogs against a Canucks squad coming off an impressive 3-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche.

Vanecek has not played an NHL game since suffering an upper-body injury on December 14th but will likely return to the crease on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. In a brief conditioning stint with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL), Vanecek posted a 2.00 GAA and .917 SV% in one game (1-0-0). He has a 3.84 GAA and .885 SV% in 14 appearances with the Sharks this season (3-8-1). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as +182 home underdogs against a Canucks squad coming off an impressive 3-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche.

Matias Maccelli will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, allowing Crouse to re-enter the lineup. The 27-year-old Crouse is averaging 14:16 time-on-ice, recording 11 points (7G / 4A), 24 penalty minutes, and 105 hits in 52 games this season.

Utah HC has lost five straight (0-3-2) and will attempt to change their fortunes on Tuesday with Vejmelka between the pipes against the Philadelphia Flyers. Vejemlka has allowed three or more goals in four of his last five games (1-3-1), posting a .882 SV%. Still, the Czech netminder is sporting a solid 2.48 GAA and .911 SV% through 31 appearances this season (11-14-4). Utah enters Tuesday's contest as -140 home favorites against a Philadelphia team that has failed to score in three straight games (0-3-0).