Utah Mammoth News

Schmidt will come out of the lineup for just the second time this season. Adam Boqvist will replace him on the third pair and likely the second power-play unit.

Valimaki was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. Robert Bortuzzo will enter the lineup in his place.

With Connor Ingram (upper body) day-to-day, Utah HC will turn to Vejmelka between the pipes for the third time in four games. The 28-year-old Vejmelka has been solid in limited action this season, posting a 2.58 GAA and .915 SV% in seven appearances (1-4-0). He has a .931 SV% in his previous four outings (1-2-0). Utah HC enters the action on Thursday as +135 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins club riding a three-game losing skid.

Vanecek is not ready to return to the lineup but appears to be making progress. Mackenzie Blackwood started on Monday and will again on Wednesday against the Dallas Stars with Yaroslav Askarov as the backup.

Connor Ingram is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, resulting in Utah HC recalled Stauber from the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL). Stauber has a 2.29 GAA and .930 SV% in seven games with Tucson (5-2-0) and will likely serve as the backup to Karel Vejmelka during Ingram's absence.

Ingram was pulled in Monday's 6-2 loss to the Washington Capitals after allowing four goals on 13 shots (.692 SV%). The 27-year-old Ingram, battling an upper-body injury, should not be sidelined for long, but the rest might do him well, as he is sporting an ugly 3.61 GAA and .871 SV% in 13 games (6-4-3). Karel Vejmelka should control Utah HC's crease during Ingram's absence.

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.

Vanecek is battling an upper-body injury and will not suit up Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. Mackenzie Blackwood will likely get the start, backed up by Yaroslav Askarov, who was recalled from the San Jose Barracuda (AHL).

For the first time this season, Ingram was the backup in consecutive games, but he will return to the crease on Monday against the Washington Capitals. The 27-year-old Ingram has struggled this season despite a serviceable 6-3-3 record, posting an ugly 3.40 GAA and .879 SV%. The Utah Hockey Club enters the action on Monday as slight -107 home favorites against a Capitals club that played yesterday and defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 5-2.

Vejmelka was predominantly the backup to Connor Ingram for the first portion of the season but will start for the third time in five games. Vejmelka was outstanding in his previous outing, earning a second consecutive start, saving 49 of 50 shots (.980 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Czech netminder improved to a 2.37 GAA and .926 SV% in five games (1-3-0) this season. Utah HC enters Friday's contest as +106 home underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Vejmelka was predominantly the backup to Connor Ingram for the first portion of the season but will likely start for the third time in five games. Vejmelka was outstanding in his previous outing, earning a second consecutive start, saving 49 of 50 shots (.980 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Czech netminder improved to a 2.37 GAA and .926 SV% in five games (1-3-0) this season. Utah HC enters Friday's contest as +106 home underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Utah Hockey Club, losers of three of their last four, will turn to Vejmelka between the pipes for the second time in four games. The 28-year-old Vejmelka has been used sparingly this season, taking a backseat to Connor Ingram, but has been serviceable in limited action, posting a 2.75 GAA and .899 SV% in three appearances (0-3-0). That said, Vejmelka and Utah HC will be challenged on Wednesday in a battle against the Carolina Hurricanes, 9-1-0 in their last 10.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, a night after a 1-0 win over the New Jersey Devils courtesy of an incredible 44-save shutout by Mackenzie Blackwood, the Sharks will turn to Vanecek between the pipes. The 28-year-old Vanecek has a 3.32 GAA and .898 SV% in eight games this season (2-5-0). The Sharks enter the action on Monday as +227 road underdogs against a Philadelphia Flyers club that has lost three of their last four (1-2-1).