The Utah Mammoth are set to face off against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center at 8 p.m. ET. This matchup is generating excitement, as both teams are looking to bolster their standings with key performances. The Mammoth enter the game with a record of 12-9-3, while the Stars boast a strong 15-5-4 record.
The Mammoth’s projected lineup features a blend of talent and resilience. Clayton Keller will lead the team as captain, despite the tragic news of his father’s unexpected passing earlier this week. Coach Andre Tourigny expressed that Keller is determined to play in honor of his father. Accompanying him on the top line will be Barrett Hayton and Nick Schmaltz. The second line includes Kailer Yamamoto, Logan Cooley, and Dylan Guenther, showcasing a mix of speed and skill.
Other notable players for the Mammoth include JJ Peterka, Jack McBain, and Lawson Crouse on the third line, while the fourth line features Michael Carcone, Kevin Stenlund, and Brandon Tanev. The defensive corps is led by Mikhail Sergachev and Nick DeSimone, supported by Nate Schmidt and John Marino, as well as Ian Cole and Sean Durzi. In goal, Karel Vejmelka is expected to start, with Vitek Vanecek as the backup. Olli Maatta, Liam O’Brien, and Dmitri Simashev have been scratched, and Alex Kerfoot is currently sidelined with a lower body injury.
The Stars’ lineup presents a formidable challenge, led by Jamie Benn on the first line with Wyatt Johnston and Mikko Rantanen. The dynamic second line features Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Tyler Seguin, all of whom are capable of making significant contributions to the team’s offensive efforts. Oskar Back, Justin Hryckowian, and Mavrik Bourque round out the third line, while Sam Steel, Radek Faksa, and Colin Blackwell make up the fourth line.
Defensively, the Stars are anchored by Esa Lindell and Miro Heiskanen. Kyle Capobianco and Vladislav Kolyachonok also serve as key contributors, along with Lian Bichsel and Alex Petrovic. Jake Oettinger is projected to start in goal, with Casey DeSmith available as the backup. The Stars are managing injuries to several players, including Matt Duchene (upper body), Adam Erne (lower body), Thomas Harley (lower body), Nils Lundkvist (lower body), and Ilya Lyubushkin (undisclosed).
With the Mammoth’s captain playing through personal hardship and the Stars’ robust lineup, fans can expect a passionate matchup filled with emotion and intensity. Both teams have their eyes on victory, making this game a must-watch for hockey enthusiasts.