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.
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).
Valimaki has not played since January 26th and will report to the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL) after clearing waivers on Monday. The 26-year-old defenseman averaged 16:33 time-on-ice and recorded five points (2G / 3A) in 43 games with Utah this season.
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.
With Connor Ingram announced out day-to-day with an upper-body injury, Jaxson Stauber was recalled from Tucson (AHL) to back up Karel Vejmelka. The 25-year-old has performed exceptionally in his limited starts with Utah this season, posting a .925 SV%, 2.23 GAA and 2-1-1 record.
Ingram missed practice on Tuesday and was announced day-to-day due to an upper-body injury. The 27-year-old netminder has struggled greatly in 2024-25 after a strong starting campaign last season, with his 9-7-4 record, 3.23 GAA and .884 SV%. Jaxson Stauber was recalled from Tucson in Ingram's absence, but Karel Vejmelka is expected to get the bulk of Utah's starts regardless.
