Islanders vs. Mammoth: Projected Lineups and Game Preview
The New York Islanders are set to face off against the Utah Mammoth tonight at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, at 9:00 PM EST. This National Lacrosse League (NLL) matchup marks a crucial game for both teams as they navigate the regular season. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Team Records and Standings
The Utah Mammoth currently hold a 10-7-0 record, placing them 6th in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the New York Islanders are 8-6-2 and ranked 12th in the Eastern Conference. The Islanders are looking to improve their conference record, which currently stands at 6-6, and their divisional record of 4-4.
Recent Performances
The Utah Mammoth are coming off a strong 5-2 victory against the Buffalo Sabres. In that game, five different players scored for the Mammoth, showcasing their offensive depth. However, the Mammoth have shown inconsistency recently, going 2-3 in their last 5 games. The New York Islanders are entering this game on a high note after a 4-3 overtime win against the Vegas Golden Knights. Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored a short-handed goal in overtime to secure the victory. Prior to that, they also defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-2 in overtime.
Offensive Dynamics
Nick Schmaltz leads the Utah Mammoth with 21 points in 17 games, making him a central figure in the team's offensive strategy. Clayton Keller is another key player for the Mammoth. As a team, the Mammoth are averaging 3.29 goals per game. The Islanders' offense has been a key component of their success, ranking 12th in goals with 53 and 11th in assists with 90. Bo Horvat leads the Islanders with 20 points this season. The Islanders are averaging 3.31 goals per game.
Goaltending Matchup
Karel Vejmelka is expected to start in goal for the Utah Mammoth. He has an 8-4 record on the season with a 2.84 goals-against average. David Rittich is likely to start for the New York Islanders. Rittich is 3-2 on the season and carries a .886 save percentage. Ilya Sorokin has also been a key performer for the Islanders.
Injury Updates
The Islanders have several players listed as out due to injuries, including Semyon Varlamov (knee), Ethan Bear (undisclosed), Scott Mayfield (personal), and Maxim Shabanov (upper body). Casey Cizikas is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. The Utah Mammoth are without Alexander Kerfoot (lower body) and Sean Durzi (shoulder) due to injuries.
Keys to the Game
For the Islanders, maintaining their strong offensive play and capitalizing on power play opportunities will be crucial. Goaltending will also be a key factor, as Rittich will need to be sharp against a potent Mammoth offense. The Mammoth will look to Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller to lead their attack and need a strong performance from Vejmelka in net.
Prediction
Despite the Utah Mammoth being favored with a MoneyLine of -203, the New York Islanders, offered at +138 on the moneyline, present good value as an underdog in this matchup.
