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

Utah Mammoth News

Vejmelka will start vs. Vegas on Friday.

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.

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

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.

Karel Vejmelka
Vejmelka will start on Wednesday vs. Carolina.

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.

Karel Vejmelka
DeSimone has been recalled from Utica (AHL).

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.

Nick DeSimone
Carcone will draw back into Utah's lineup on Thursday in St. Louis.

Carcone has been limited to only three games this season after a career-high 21 goal 2023-24 season. He has zero points, a -2 plus/minus, and is averaging 11:19 time-on-ice through three games this season. He will draw in for Robert Bortuzzo on Thursday as Utah HC will revert back to the traditional 12-forward, six-defensemen formation.

Michael Carcone
Peeke is week-to-week with an upper-body injury.

Peeke was injured on Tuesday after taking a hard hit from Max Pacioretty. Pacioretty was originally assessed a five-minute major on the play but the penalty was rescinded after review. The 26-year-old Peeke has two points (0G / 2A) in 13 games this season.

Andrew Peeke
Peeke suffered an upper-body injury in Tuesday's game in Toronto and will not return.

The injury occurred in the first period when Peeke took a hard hit from Max Pacioretty. Pacioretty was originally assessed a five-minute major on the play but the penalty was rescinded after review. We should receive an update on Peeke's injury ahead of Boston's game against the Flames on Thursday.

Andrew Peeke
Vejmelka will start on Tuesday in Winnipeg.

Connor Ingram has started the last four games for Utah HC, but Vejmelka will start on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. In limited action this season, appearing only three times (0-2-0), Vejmelka has a 3.04 GAA and .889 SV%. Utah HC has a .542 point percentage with a 5-4-3 record but has a -5 goal differential, allowing an average of 3.5 goals per game. Utah HC enters the action on Tuesday as +183 road underdogs against the Jets, leading the league with 22 points (11-1-0).

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

Connor Ingram has started the last four games for Utah HC, but Vejmelka will likely start on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. In limited action this season, appearing only three times (0-2-0), Vejmelka has a 3.04 GAA and .889 SV%. Utah HC has a .542 point percentage with a 5-4-3 record but has a -5 goal differential, allowing an average of 3.5 goals per game. Utah HC enters the action on Tuesday as +183 road underdogs against the Jets, leading the league with 22 points (11-1-0).

Karel Vejmelka
O'Brien will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday vs. Calgary.

O'Brien will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday in favor of Juuso Valimaki as Utah HC will go with an 11-forward, seven-defensemen formation. The 30-year-old O'Brien has zero points, five penalty minutes, and 13 hits in three games this season.

Liam O'Brien
O'Brien will draw back into Utah's lineup on Monday vs. San Jose.

After being sidelined for the last five games, O'Brien will draw into the lineup for his third game this season, replacing Josh Doan. The heavy-hitting O'Brien has been held off the scoresheet in two games this season but has tallied 10 hits.

Liam O'Brien
Lamoureux will make his NHL debut on Thursday vs. Colorado.

Due to a decimated defensive core, namely Sean Durzi (shoulder) and John Marino (lower-back) being sidelined for the next several months, Utah HC recalled Lamoureux from the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL) to make his NHL debut. The 20-year-old Lamoureux was drafted 29th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, and is currently playing his first professional season, tallying three points (2G / 1A) in his first four games with Tuscon.

Maveric Lamoureux
Vejmelka will start on Thursday vs. Colorado.

After starting their season by winning three straight games, the Utah Hockey Club has lost three of their last four and will give Vejmelka his second start of the season on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche. Vejmelka entered Tuesday's 4-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators in relief of Connor Ingram and saved all 14 shots he faced. The 28-year-old Vejmelka has been limited to only 98 minutes of action through seven games this season but has been solid, posting a 1.83 GAA and .935 SV%. Utah HC enters the action on Thursday as +135 home underdogs against Colorado.

Karel Vejmelka