The Sharks opted not to play Vanecek on Tuesday in anticipation of a trade, which was realized on Wednesday morning, sending him to Florida in exchange for Patrick Giles. Vanecek posted an unimpressive 3.88 GAA and .882 SV% in 18 games with the Sharks this season (3-10-3). Though he will be predominantly backing up Sergei Bobrovsky, Vanecek should see an improvement in his statistics on a much stronger Florida team.
Despite being in the tail end of a back-to-back, the Sharks will turn to Georgiev between the pipes on Tuesday, keeping Vitek Vanecek sidelined for trade-related reasons. The 29-year-old Vanecek has a 3.88 GAA and .882 SV% in 18 appearances this season (3-10-3).
Utah HC has won three straight, all with Vejmelka between the pipes, and will roll with him again on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. The 28-year-old Vejmelka has been terrific lately, allowing two or fewer goals in four straight (4-0-0) while posting a near-perfect .942 SV%. He has a 2.44 GAA and .910 SV% through 37 appearances this season (16-15-4).
O'Brien will fill in for late scratch Michael Carcone (lower-body). O'Brien has zero goals and one assist in 20 games this season.
Carcone was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with Utah not announcing his absence prior to warmups. He is considered day-to-day with the injury. Liam O'Brien will draw into the lineup in Carcone's place.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
