Nick DeSimone will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings, allowing Maatta to re-enter the lineup. The 30-year-old Maatta is averaging 19:42 time-on-ice and has 15 points (2G / 13A) in 70 games this season.
Utah HC will turn to Vejmelka between the pipes for a 19th consecutive game on Thursday when they host the Los Angeles Kings. Vejmelka was excellent in his most recent game, saving 33 of 34 shots (.971 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Calgary Flames. The 28-year-old Czech goalie has a 2.56 GAA and .905 SV% in 52 games this season (23-20-7). Utah enters the action on Thursday as +113 home underdogs against a Los Angeles team that is 7-3-0 in their last 10 games.
Lavoie was a third-round pick, 89th overall, of the Utah Hockey Club in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old defenseman has spent the past three seasons with the Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL), including scoring 55 points (15G / 40A) in 60 gams in 2024-25.
DeSimone will slot in for Olli Maatta, who is out with a lower-body injury. DeSimone has one goal and four assists in 15 games this season.
Maatta will miss a second consecutive game on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames. The 30-year-old defenseman is averaging 19:42 time-on-ice and has 15 points (2G / 13A) in 70 games this season.
Maatta did not play in Utah's previous game but could return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames. The 30-year-old defenseman is averaging 19:42 time-on-ice and has 15 points (2G / 13A) in 70 games this season.
After three straight losses, Utah HC returned to the win column on Sunday with a 27-save performance (.931 SV%) from Vejmelka in a 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. The 28-year-old Czech goalie will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames. Vejmelka has a 2.59 GAA and .904 SV% in 51 games this season (22-20-7). Utah HC enters Tuesday's contest as -174 home favorites against a Flames team coming off an impressive 3-2 shootout win over the Colorado Avalanche last night.
The Panthers are coming off a 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday and will hope for a better result, with Vanecek tending the twine in a rematch on Tuesday. Vanecek has showcased mixed results early in his three-game tenure as a Panther (1-2-0), including a 21-save shutout in his first contest and allowing six goals on 33 shots (.818 SV%) in his most recent. The Panthers enter Tuesday's contest as -168 road favorites against a Canadiens team that has lost five of their last six (1-3-2).
Kailer Yamamoto will draw back into Utah's lineup on Friday, sending Carcone to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Yamamoto has failed to scored a point in three games with Utah this season while averaging 10:40 time-on-ice.
Kailer Yamamoto will draw back into Utah's lineup on Friday, sending Carcone to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 28-year-old Carcone is averaging 11:26 time-on-ice and has 18 points (6G / 12A) in 52 games this season.
After a disastrous performance in yesterday's 8-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, allowing four goals on 11 shots (.636 SV%), Vejmelka will return to the crease on Friday against the Florida Panthers. The 28-year-old Vejmelka struggled since the beginning of March, posting an ugly 3.21 GAA and .872 SV% in 12 games (5-5-2). He has a 2.62 GAA and .902 SV% in 49 games this season (21-20-6). Utah HC enters Friday's contest as +210 road underdogs against a Panthers team that will welcome newcomer Brad Marchand into the lineup for his team debut.
Utah HC has recalled goalie Matt Villalta from the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL), swapping places with Jaxson Stauber. The 25-year-old Villalta has a 3.01 GAA and .906 SV% in 41 games (17-21-3) with Tucson this season.
Utah HC has recalled goalie Matt Villalta from the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL), swapping places with Jaxson Stauber. The 25-year-old Stauber allowed four goals on 10 shots (.600 SV%) in Thursday's disastrous 8-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Utah HC is coming off a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, where Vejmelka allowed four goals on 13 shots (.692 SV%), but he will return to the crease on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.56 GAA and .904 SV% in 48 games this season. Utah enters the action on Thursday as +170 road underdogs against a Tampa Bay team coming off a dominant 6-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Yamamoto played three games with Utah earlier this season but has spent the majority of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL. The 25-year-old Yamamoto has 51 points (19G / 32A) in 51 games with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL) this season.
Utah HC is riding a two-game winning streak and will roll with Vejmelka between the pipes on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old Vejmelka struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 26 shots (.846 SV%), but received ample goal support in a 6-4 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has a 2.53 GAA and .907 SV% in 47 games this season (21-18-6). Utah HC enters Monday's contest as -160 home favorites against a struggling Red Wings team outscored 10-4 during a two-game losing skid (0-2-0).
