Blackhawks vs. Mammoth Preview: Projected Lineups, Goalies, and Playoff Implications

The Chicago Blackhawks are set to face the Utah Mammoth in a Sunday matinee, with both teams entering the contest on opposite trajectories. Chicago is coming off a 3-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, their third consecutive defeat, while Utah secured a convincing 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild in their last outing. According to The Hockey News, the Blackhawks are in a back-to-back situation this weekend, which will likely see backup Arvid Soderblom get the start in goal against the Mammoth after Spencer Knight played against the Avalanche. For Utah, this game concludes a homestand as they look to solidify their position in the Western Conference playoff race.

Projected Lineups and Key Matchups

Both teams are expected to maintain relatively consistent lineups from their previous games. As reported by NHL.com, neither team held a morning skate on Sunday, suggesting the Blackhawks will use the same lineup from their loss to Colorado, and the Mammoth will dress the same 18 skaters from their win against Minnesota.

Chicago Blackhawks Projected Lineup

Forwards
- Ryan Greene — Connor Bedard — Andre Burakovsky
- Oliver Moore — Frank Nazar — Teuvo Teravainen
- Tyler Bertuzzi — Jason Dickinson — Ilya Mikheyev
- Ryan Donato — Nick Foligno — Colton Dach
Defensemen
- Alex Vlasic — Louis Crevier
- Matt Grzelcyk — Artyom Levshunov
- Connor Murphy — Kevin Korchinski
Goaltenders
- Arvid Soderblom (expected starter)
- Spencer Knight

Scratched: Sam Lafferty, Landon Slaggert, Sam Rinzel
Injured: Wyatt Kaiser (lower body)

Utah Mammoth Projected Lineup

Forwards
- Clayton Keller — Jack McBain — Dylan Guenther
- Matias Maccelli — Barrett Hayton — Lawson Crouse
- Logan Cooley — Nick Schmaltz — Alex Kerfoot
- Michael Carcone — Kevin Stenlund — Kailer Yamamoto
Defensemen
- J.J. Moser — Mathew Dumba
- Travis Dermott — Mikhail Sergachev
- Juuso Valimaki — Nate Schmidt
Goaltenders
- Karel Vejmelka (expected starter)
- Connor Ingram

Scratched: Liam O’Brien, Brandon Tanev, Nick DeSimone
Injured: None

The primary matchup to watch will be how Utah’s defense, which NHL.com notes is fifth-best in the league for limiting shots on goal per game, handles the dynamic line centered by Connor Bedard. Bedard has been a consistent offensive force for a struggling Chicago team, scoring his 25th goal of the season against Colorado. As noted by Yahoo Sports Canada, the Mammoth will counter with Lawson Crouse, who is coming off a two-goal performance.

Recent Form and Season Context

The Blackhawks find themselves in a difficult stretch, having lost eight of their last nine games. Their offense has struggled to find consistency beyond their star rookie. In their recent 3-1 loss to the Avalanche, Bedard scored the team’s only goal on the power play, but the team as a whole was held to just 15 shots on goal. According to reporting from The Hockey News, the lack of secondary scoring has been a persistent issue, putting immense pressure on Bedard to generate offense. The team’s record stands at 22-28-9.

In contrast, the Utah Mammoth (31-24-4) are looking to build momentum as they fight for a wild card spot in the playoffs. Their recent 5-2 victory over a strong Minnesota Wild team was a significant boost. According to NHL.com’s coverage, Utah’s balanced attack was on full display, with Lawson Crouse scoring twice and Logan Cooley adding a short-handed goal upon his return to the lineup. Captain Clayton Keller has been leading the charge, currently riding a four-game point streak.

Goaltending Analysis

With Spencer Knight having faced 34 shots in the loss to Colorado, the Blackhawks are expected to turn to Arvid Soderblom in net. Soderblom’s season has been challenging, as he holds a 5-9-2 record with a 3.89 goals-against average and a .874 save percentage, according to NHL.com. He will be tested by a Mammoth team that has been finding its offensive rhythm.

For Utah, Karel Vejmelka is the anticipated starter. Vejmelka has been a key player for the Mammoth this season, putting together a strong campaign. He is coming off a solid performance against the Wild and will look to shut down a Blackhawks offense that has been heavily reliant on one player.

Special Teams Spotlight

A critical factor in this matchup will be special teams play. The Chicago Blackhawks possess the number one penalty kill in the entire NHL, with an impressive 85.6% success rate, a statistic highlighted by NHL.com. They successfully killed all four of Colorado’s power plays in their last game and have been nearly perfect over their last 11 games, going 24-for-26. This formidable penalty kill will be a major challenge for the Mammoth’s power-play unit.

Previous Encounter and Season Series

This marks the second of four meetings between Chicago and Utah this season. In their first contest on October 13, the Blackhawks came away with a 3-1 victory at the United Center. Ilya Mikheyev was the hero for Chicago in that game, scoring two goals, while Andre Burakovsky netted the game-winner in what was his 700th career NHL game.

FAQ

Who is the expected starting goalie for the Blackhawks?

Arvid Soderblom is the expected starting goaltender for the Chicago Blackhawks, as Spencer Knight started the previous night in a back-to-back situation against the Colorado Avalanche.

What is Connor Bedard’s recent performance like?

Connor Bedard has been a consistent offensive producer for Chicago. He scored his 25th goal of the season in the team’s last game and, according to NHL.com, has scored five goals in his last six games.