The Utah Mammoth head to the SAP Center tonight for a Western Conference clash with the San Jose Sharks, and both teams come in with matching 12-11-3 records-hovering just above the .500 mark and very much in the thick of the early playoff race. Puck drops at 10 p.m. ET, and while it’s still early in the season, this one has the feel of a measuring-stick game for two squads trying to find consistency.
Mammoth Lineup: Cooley Watch Continues
Here’s how Utah is expected to line up:
Forwards:
- Clayton Keller - Barrett Hayton - Nick Schmaltz
- Kailer Yamamoto - Logan Cooley - Dylan Guenther
- JJ Peterka - Jack McBain - Lawson Crouse
- Michael Carcone - Kevin Stenlund - Brandon Tanev
Defense:
- Mikhail Sergachev - Sean Durzi
- Nate Schmidt - John Marino
- Ian Cole - Dmitri Simashev
Goalies:
- Karel Vejmelka
- Vitek Vanecek
Scratches: Olli Maatta, Liam O’Brien, Kevin Rooney
Injured: Alex Kerfoot (lower body)
The big question mark for the Mammoth tonight is the status of rookie center Logan Cooley. He was involved in a knee-on-knee collision in Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the Blues-a game that saw Utah struggle to generate offense without him at full strength.
Cooley took part in the morning skate, and head coach André Tourigny labeled him a game-time decision. If he’s good to go, it’s a boost for a second line that thrives on speed and creativity.
Tourigny also noted that multiple players are being evaluated ahead of puck drop, so don’t be surprised if there are some last-minute tweaks to the lineup. With Kerfoot still out, Utah continues to rely on depth pieces like Carcone and Stenlund to hold down the fourth line.
Sharks Lineup: Youth Movement in Motion
San Jose’s expected lineup:
Forwards:
- Tyler Toffoli - Macklin Celebrini - Will Smith
- William Eklund - Alexander Wennberg - Adam Gaudette
- Philipp Kurashev - Ty Dellandrea - Collin Graf
- Pavol Regenda - Barclay Goodrow - Ryan Reaves
Defense:
- Dmitry Orlov - Timothy Liljegren
- Mario Ferraro - John Klingberg
- Sam Dickinson - Shakir Mukhamadullin
Goalies:
- Yaroslav Askarov
- Alex Nedeljkovic
San Jose is turning to some fresh legs tonight. Pavol Regenda has been recalled from the AHL and will make his season debut, slotting in on the fourth line. He brings a mix of size and energy, and with the Sharks dealing with a few injuries and illnesses, his timing couldn’t be better.
Defenseman Vincent Desharnais has been placed on injured reserve and is considered day-to-day. Up front, Adam Gaudette is battling an illness and is questionable for tonight's game. Meanwhile, promising young forwards Michael Misa and Matthew Savoie-Skinner skated with the team this morning for the first time since their respective injuries, but neither is expected to suit up just yet.
What to Watch
This matchup features a fascinating blend of veteran leadership and young star power on both sides. For Utah, the top line of Keller, Hayton, and Schmaltz has been steady, but it’s the second unit-assuming Cooley plays-that can tilt the ice with speed and offensive upside. Guenther’s shot and Yamamoto’s tenacity make them a dangerous trio when they’re clicking.
On the Sharks’ side, the youth movement is in full swing. Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith continue to showcase why they’re viewed as the future of the franchise, and Tyler Toffoli’s presence on that top line adds a veteran scoring touch. The backend is still a work in progress, especially with Desharnais out, but Dmitry Orlov and Timothy Liljegren have started to settle in as the top pair.
Between the pipes, Yaroslav Askarov is expected to get the nod for San Jose. He’s shown flashes of brilliance but has also had some growing pains. For Utah, Karel Vejmelka likely gets the start after a solid showing against the Blues, where he gave his team a chance despite the lack of offensive support.
Final Thoughts
This is a matchup of two teams trying to carve out their identity as the season approaches the midway point. Utah needs to rediscover its offensive rhythm after being shut out in its last outing, while San Jose is looking to build on the chemistry of its young core.
If Cooley plays, he could be the X-factor. If not, Utah will need someone else to step up in a tough road environment.
One thing’s for sure: with both teams sitting at 12-11-3, there’s more than just two points on the line tonight-this is about momentum, confidence, and proving you belong in the playoff conversation.