Utah Mammoth News

Utah HC has won four of their last five (4-0-1) and will turn to Vejmelka between the pipes for the fourth consecutive game. The 28-year-old Czech netminder allowed three goals on 22 shots (.864 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks, but has been reliable in net all season, posting a solid 2.40 GAA and .915 SV% in 17 appearances (6-7-2). Utah enters Wednesday's contest as -121 home favorites against a Vancouver Canucks club coming off an impressive 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche.

Vejmelka struggled in his previous outing, allowing four goals on 38 shots (.895 SV%) in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Minnesota Wild. Despite the minor blip on Tuesday, the 28-year-old Czech netminder has been stellar between the pipes this season, posting a 2.45 GAA and .915 SV% in 15 appearances (4-7-2). Utah HC enters Thursday's contest as +156 road underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche club that defeated them 5-1 in their only other meeting this season.

Vejmelka struggled in his previous outing, allowing four goals on 38 shots (.895 SV%) in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Minnesota Wild. Despite the minor blip on Tuesday, the 28-year-old Czech netminder has been stellar between the pipes this season, posting a 2.45 GAA and .915 SV% in 15 appearances (4-7-2). Utah HC enters Thursday's contest as +156 road underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche club that defeated them 5-1 in their only other meeting this season.

Connauton was called up to potentially fill in for Robert Bortuzzo, who is likely to miss time with a lower-body injury. Connauton hasn't appeared in the NHL since playing 26 games with the Flyers in the 2021-22 season. The 34-year-old blueliner has 28 goals and 52 assists in 360 career games.

DeSimone played 11 games with the Devils last season, scoring two points (1G / 1A), but has primarily been an AHL players, playing only 38 career NHL games since his professional debut in the 2016-17 season. In nine games with the Utica Comets (AHL) this season, the 29-year-old DeSimone has two points (0G / 2A) and a -10 plus/minus.

Pierre-Olivier Joseph will draw back into the Blues' lineup on Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks, resulting in Perunovich being a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Perunovich is averaging 14:59 time-on-ice, recording four points (2G / 4A), 18 blocks, and nine hits through 18 games.

The Coyotes have outscored their opposition 9-4 in their last two games (2-0-0) and will turn to Vejmelka between the pipes on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. The 28-year-old Vejmelka is putting up career-best numbers, posting a stellar 2.35 GAA and .917 SV% in 14 appearances (4-7-1). He has allowed two or fewer goals in five of his last seven (3-3-1), posting a .919 SV%. Utah enters Tuesday's contest as slight -106 home favorites against a Minnesota club coming off a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

With yesterday's trade sending Mackenzie Blackwood to the Colorado Avalanche and Alexandar Georgiev not ready to suit up for the Sharks, Vanecek will be in the crease on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old Vanecek has struggled between the pipes for the Sharks this season, posting an ugly 3.89 GAA and .883 SV% in 12 appearances (3-6-1). He has allowed 10 goals on 43 shots (.767 SV%) across his last two games (1-1-0). The Sharks enter Tuesday's contest as humungous +410 road underdogs against the Hurricanes.

The Coyotes have outscored their opposition 9-4 in their last two games (2-0-0) and will likely turn to Vejmelka between the pipes on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. The 28-year-old Vejmelka is putting up career-best numbers, posting a stellar 2.35 GAA and .917 SV% in 14 appearances (4-7-1). He has allowed two or fewer goals in five of his last seven (3-3-1), posting a .919 SV%. Utah enters Tuesday's contest as slight -106 home favorites against a Minnesota club coming off a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

With yesterday's trade sending Mackenzie Blackwood to the Colorado Avalanche and Alexandar Georgiev not ready to suit up for the Sharks, Vanecek will likely be in the crease on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old Vanecek has struggled between the pipes for the Sharks this season, posting an ugly 3.89 GAA and .883 SV% in 12 appearances (3-6-1). He has allowed 10 goals on 43 shots (.767 SV%) across his last two games (1-1-0). The Sharks enter Tuesday's contest as humungous +410 road underdogs against the Hurricanes.

The Sharks, riding a three-game winning streak, will turn to Vanecek between the pipes on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 28-year-old Vanecek allowed five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in his most recent outing, an 8-5 win over the Seattle Kraken, and has a 3.52 GAA and .894 SV% through 11 appearances this season (3-5-1). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as sizeable +221 road underdogs against a Lightning team without Nikita Kucherov (undisclosed).

The Sharks, riding a three-game winning streak, will turn to Vanecek between the pipes on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 28-year-old Vanecek allowed five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in his most recent outing, an 8-5 win over the Seattle Kraken, and has a 3.52 GAA and .894 SV% through 11 appearances this season (3-5-1). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as sizeable +221 road underdogs against a Lightning team without Nikita Kucherov (undisclosed).