Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

Utah Mammoth News

Vejmelka will start vs. Minnesota on Thursday.

Utah has won two straight and wil roll with Vejmelka between the pipes on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. Vejmelka has been excellent lately, with a 1.39 GAA and .943 SV% during a three-game winning streak. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.48 GAA and .910 SV% in 36 appearances this season (15-15-4). Utah enters the action on Thursday as -182 home favorites against an injury-depleted Minnesota team coming off a 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

Karel Vejmelka
Vejmelka is in the starter's crease at Utah's morning skate.

Utah has won two straight and will likely roll with Vejmelka between the pipes on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. Vejmelka has been excellent lately, with a 1.39 GAA and .943 SV% during a three-game winning streak. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.48 GAA and .910 SV% in 36 appearances this season (15-15-4). Utah enters the action on Thursday as -182 home favorites against an injury-depleted Minnesota team coming off a 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

Karel Vejmelka
Perunovich is expected to be a healthy scratch on Thursday in Boston.

With Noah Dobson returning from a multi-week absence due to a lower-body injury, Perunovich will be the odd man out of the lineup on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. Since being acquired by the Islanders, the 26-year-old Perunovich has averaged 19:12 time-on-ice and scored three points (0G / 3A) in nine games.

Scott Perunovich
Vejmelka will start vs. Chicago on Tuesday.

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).

Karel Vejmelka
Vejmelka was the first goalie off the ice at Utah's morning skate.

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).

Karel Vejmelka
Valimaki has cleared waivers and been assigned to Tucson (AHL).

Valimaki has not played since January 26th and will report to the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL) after clearing waivers on Monday. The 26-year-old defenseman averaged 16:33 time-on-ice and recorded five points (2G / 3A) in 43 games with Utah this season.

Juuso Valimaki
Vanecek will start in Winnipeg on Monday.

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.

Vitek Vanecek
Vejmelka (illness) returned to Utah's practice on Thursday.

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.

Karel Vejmelka
Cooley (lower-body) has improved his injury designation to day-to-day.

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.

Logan Cooley
Vejmelka missed practice on Wednesday due to illness.

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.

Karel Vejmelka
Stauber was recalled from the AHL but is not expected to play this weekend.

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.

Jaxson Stauber
Durzi (shoulder) is expected to return to the Utah lineup on Saturday.

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.

Sean Durzi