Mammoth vs. Ducks: Projected Lineups, Key Debuts, and What to Watch For Tonight
The Utah Mammoth head into Anaheim tonight looking to climb above .500, while the Ducks aim to keep their strong start rolling. Puck drops at 10 p.m. ET, and the matchup will be broadcast across HBO Max, truTV, and TNT.
Here’s a breakdown of the expected lineups, notable roster moves, and what fans should keep an eye on as these two Western Conference squads face off.
Utah Mammoth Projected Lineup (12-12-3)
Forwards:
- Clayton Keller - Nick Schmaltz - JJ Peterka
- Daniil But - Logan Cooley - Dylan Guenther
- Michael Carcone - Jack McBain - Lawson Crouse
- Liam O’Brien - Kevin Stenlund - Kailer Yamamoto
Defense:
- Mikhail Sergachev - John Marino
- Nate Schmidt - Sean Durzi
- Ian Cole - Maveric Lamoureux
Goaltenders:
- Karel Vejmelka
- Vitek Vanecek
Scratches: Barrett Hayton, Brandon Tanev, Nick DeSimone
Injuries: Alex Kerfoot (lower body), Olli Maatta (upper body)
There’s a lot of movement on the Mammoth roster heading into tonight’s game, and the spotlight will be shining on a couple of fresh faces.
Daniil But is set to make his NHL debut after getting the call-up from Tucson on Tuesday. The 6’5” winger brings size and scoring upside, and he’ll slot right into the second line alongside Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther - a trio that could bring some serious offensive spark if the chemistry clicks early.
Also making his season debut is Maveric Lamoureux, the towering blueliner who was recalled from the AHL on Wednesday. With Dmitri Simashev reassigned to Tucson and injuries thinning out Utah’s defensive corps, Lamoureux gets his shot to show he can handle NHL minutes. Don’t be surprised if he sees sheltered minutes early, but his physicality could be a factor.
Meanwhile, Kevin Rooney cleared waivers and was assigned to Tucson, trimming the forward group. That opens up ice time for others, but it’s also a sign that Utah’s management is looking to shake things up and find more consistency in their bottom six.
Of note: Barrett Hayton and Brandon Tanev will be healthy scratches - the first time either has sat this season. That’s a message-sending move from the coaching staff, likely tied to recent performance.
Anaheim Ducks Projected Lineup (16-9-1)
Forwards:
- Chris Kreider - Leo Carlsson - Troy Terry
- Cutter Gauthier - Mason McTavish - Beckett Sennecke
- Frank Vatrano - Ryan Poehling - Alex Killorn
- Ross Johnston - Jansen Harkins
Defense:
- Jackson LaCombe - Drew Helleson
- Olen Zellweger - Jacob Trouba
- Pavel Mintyukov - Radko Gudas
- Ian Moore
Goaltenders:
- Ville Husso
- Vyacheslav Buteyets
Scratches: Nikita Nesterenko, Ryan Strome
Injuries: Mikael Granlund (lower body), Lukas Dostal (upper body), Petr Mrazek (lower body)
Anaheim continues to roll with an 11-forward, 7-defenseman setup for the second straight game - a strategy that gives them flexibility on the blue line, but puts a little more strain on the top-nine forwards.
Ryan Strome and Nikita Nesterenko will sit again as healthy scratches, while Granlund and Dostal both returned to the ice for morning skate. That’s an encouraging sign, but neither is expected back in the immediate future. Dostal hasn’t played since Nov. 22 and is still at least a week out, while Petr Mrazek is likely sidelined for another 2-3 weeks after exiting Sunday’s game against Chicago with a lower-body injury.
That means Ville Husso gets the net again, with Vyacheslav Buteyets backing up. Husso has been steady, but Anaheim’s goaltending depth is being tested - and with a young defense corps that includes names like Zellweger, LaCombe, and Mintyukov, the Ducks will need to stay structured in front of the crease.
What to Watch Tonight
- **The NHL debut of Daniil But. ** Big frame, soft hands, and a chance to make an early impression.
If he finds space with Cooley and Guenther, this could be a fun line to watch.
- **Anaheim’s 11F/7D setup. ** It worked last game, but it’s a delicate balance.
Watch how head coach manages the forward rotations, especially if the game goes to special teams.
- Goaltending depth on both sides. With Mrazek out and Dostal not quite ready, Husso carries the load for Anaheim. Utah, meanwhile, has Vejmelka and Vanecek both available, and it’ll be interesting to see who gets the nod and how short the leash is.
- Message sent in Utah. Healthy scratches for Hayton and Tanev suggest the Mammoth are looking to spark something. That kind of internal competition can either ignite a team or create tension - tonight’s performance will tell us which way it’s trending.
This one has all the ingredients for a sneaky-good matchup: a couple of promising rookies, some lineup intrigue, and two teams trying to define their identity as the season hits its stride. Buckle up - this could be a fun one out West.