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.
Vejmelka played well in his postseason debut in Game One, saving 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%), but did not receive enough goal support in a 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The 29-year-old Czech goalie has consistently played well against the Golden Knights, including posting a stellar 1.67 GAA and .947 SV% in three regular-season games (2-1-0). He will look for his first-career postseason victory on Tuesday, with the Mammoth entering Game Two as +132 road underdogs.
Vejmelka played well in his postseason debut in Game One, saving 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%), but did not receive enough goal support in a 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The 29-year-old Czech goalie has consistently played well against the Golden Knights, including posting a stellar 1.67 GAA and .947 SV% in three regular-season games (2-1-0). He will look for his first-career postseason victory on Tuesday, with the Mammoth entering Game Two as +132 road underdogs.
Villalta will serve as the Mammoth's No.3 netminder throughout the postseason. He has spent the entire season in the AHL, going 16-12-3 with a 3.10 GAA and .895 SV% in 33 games.
But will start the postseason as a reserve forward for the Mammoth, after splitting his 2025-26 season between the NHL and AHL. During his time with the Mammoth, he had seven points (3G / 4A) in 29 games.
Vejmelka will make his league-leading 64th start of the season when the Mammoth host the Blues in their regular season finale on Thursday. Vejmelka secured his 38th victory of the season in his last start, stopping 21 of the 24 shots he faced in a 5-3 win over the Jets on Tuesday. Vejmelka and the Mammoth enter action as slight underdogs on Thursday at +110 on the money line.
Durzi was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with the Mammoth not announcing his absence prior to warmups. It's unknown whether his status for Utah's round one matchup against the Golden Knights is in jeopardy.
Guenther was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with the Mammoth not announcing his absence prior to warmups. It's unknown whether his status for Utah's round one matchup against the Golden Knights is in jeopardy.
Utah can inch closer to locking up the top Wild Card seed in the Western Conference with a win in its penultimate game on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. Vejmelka will tend the twine and look to build some momentum to take into his first-ever postseason. The 29-year-old Czech goalie was serviceable in his previous outing, saving 26 of 29 shots (.897 SV%), but did not receive enough goal support in a 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, snapping a five-game winning streak for Vejmelka. The Mammoth enter Tuesday's contest as -178 home favourites against a Winnipeg Jets team that has been outscored 13-3 in their last two games (0-2-0).
Marino has not play in Utah's previous two games, but he could re-enter the lineup as soon as Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 28-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:14 time-on-ice and has a career-high 35 points (4G / 31A) in 78 games this season.
Utah can inch closer to locking up the top Wild Card seed in the Western Conference with a win in its penultimate game on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. Vejmelka will tend the twine and look to build some momentum to take into his first-ever postseason. The 29-year-old Czech goalie was serviceable in his previous outing, saving 26 of 29 shots (.897 SV%), but did not receive enough goal support in a 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, snapping a five-game winning streak for Vejmelka. The Mammoth enter Tuesday's contest as -178 home favourites against a Winnipeg Jets team that has been outscored 13-3 in their last two games (0-2-0).
Hayton has been out since March 26th with an upper-body injury but returned to Utah's practice on Tuesday in a non-contact jersey. The 25-year-old is hopeful to return at some point during Utah's opening playoff series vs. Vegas but is still considered week-to-week. He had 10 goals and 25 points in 67 games played this season.
Utah recalled Villalta on Sunday to give Karel Vejmelka the night off, but now he will return to the AHL. The 26-year-old Villalta has a 3.10 GAA and .895 SV% this season 33 games with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL).
