Maatta will re-enter the lineup after sitting out Tuesday's game on Long Island. Maatta is yet to register a point through five games this season.
Utah Hockey Club News
Bortuzzo will serve as a healthy scratch on Thursday to welcome Maveric Lamoureux into the lineup for his NHL debut. The 35-year-old Bortuzzo has six penalty minutes and a -2 plus/minus while averaging 11:58 time-on-ice through three games this season.
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.
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.
Koch made his NHL debut with the Arizona Coyotes last season, registering 10 penalty minutes in one game. The undrafted 27-year-old Slovak made his North American debut last season, scoring 15 points (1G / 14A) in 63 games with the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL). In a corresponding move, Utah HC has recalled Maveric Lamoureux from Tuscon.
Due to a decimated defensive core, namely Sean Durzi (shoulder) and John Marino (lower-back) being sidelined for the next several months, Utah HC have opted to recall youngster Lamoureux from the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL). 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.
Marino was acquired in a trade from the New Jersey Devils in the offseason but will not be able to make his debut with the Utah Hockey Club for another 3-4 months. The 27-year-old Marino was absent from training camp due to an upper-body injury and ultimately opted for surgery to address his lower-back injury. Marino is joining his third NHL franchise and had four goals, 25 points, 41 PIMs and 57 SOG in 75 games played with New Jersey in 2023-24. With Sean Durzi (shoulder) also sidelined for the next several months, Utah's decimated defensive core have welcomed Vladislav Kolyachonok and Robert Bortuzzo into the mix.
Durzi's absence from Utah HC will be a devasting blow for their blueline, but the talented defenseman could be back before the end of the season. The 26-year-old defenseman was off to a strong start to the season, with two points (0G / 2A), 11 blocks, and seven penalty minutes in three games. Mikhail Sergachev has emerged as the quarterback on Utah's top powerplay unit since Durzi has been out of the lineup.
Maatta will sit out Tuesday night's contest against the Islanders as Justin Holl draws back in. Maatta is yet to register a point through five games this season.
The Utah Hockey Club will turn to Ingram between the pipes on Tuesday for his third consecutive start and sixth in seven games this season. Ingram has been inconsistent to start the season, allowing four or more goals in three of five outings (4-0-1), posting a 3.29 GAA and .881 SV%, but was outstanding in his last contest, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Boston Bruins. Utah HC enters action on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators as slight -106 home favorites.
Goldsmith was a fourth-round pick of the Arizona Coyotes in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old defenseman is in his fifth season in the WHL. He had 15 points (3G / 12A) and 122 penalty minutes in 66 games with the Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) last season.
Bortuzzo had to leave his Utah debut in the third period due to an undisclosed injury and was without an update on his status post-game. The 35-year-old defenseman signed a one-year, two-way contract with Utah in the offseason after 13 seasons between Pittsburgh, St. Louis and the Islanders.
O'Brien will take a seat on Wednesday after drawing into the lineup for Monday's game in New Jersey. Michael Carcone will re-enter the lineup in his place.
Carcone will re-enter the lineup after sitting out Monday's game in New Jersey. Liam O'Brien will sit in his place.
Bortuzzo, the 35-year-old stay-at-home defenseman, is entering his 14th NHL season and has 20 goals and 74 points in 560 career games played. He will provide Utah with some much-needed defensive depth, especial with Sean Durzi (upper body) out of the lineup indefinitely.
Michael Carcone will replace O'Brien on Wednesday. O'Brien has played in two of four games for Utah HC so far this season, recording one shot on goal and 10 hits.
Liam O'Brien will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Carcone to re-enter the lineup for Utah HC. Carcone has been held without a point in two games so far this season.