NHL Western Conference Game 5 Preview: Utah Mammoth (2-2) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (2-2)

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Vegas Golden Knights logo

Venue & Start Time

Location: T‑Mobile Arena, Paradise (Las Vegas), Nevada

Puck Drop: 10:00 p.m. ET on TNT / truTV / HBO Max

Injury Report

Utah Mammoth

Barrett Hayton (C): OUT — upper‑body, week‑to‑week

Vegas Golden Knights

William Karlsson (C): OUT — lower‑body, not expected to return this postseason unless Vegas makes a deep run

Team Records & Season Profile

Utah Mammoth: 43‑33‑6 (92 pts), 4th in Central Division

Vegas Golden Knights: 39‑26‑17 (95 pts), 1st in Pacific Division

Utah finished with more wins and a better goal differential than Vegas, despite entering as a wild card.

Recent Team Form

Utah: 5‑4‑1 in last 10

Vegas: 7‑2‑1 in last 10

Vegas has been the hotter team entering the postseason, but Utah has pushed them to a dead‑even series.

Series History (Games 1–4)

Recent head‑to‑head results:

Apr 24: Utah 4, Vegas 2

Apr 21: Utah 3, Vegas 2

Apr 19: Vegas 4, Utah 2

Apr 27 (Game 4): Vegas 5, Utah 4 (OT)

Series tied 2–2.

Goaltending Matchup

Utah – Karel Vejmelka

Allowed 5 goals on 36 shots in Game 4 (.861 SV%)

Season save percentage: .888; career SV% .899

Vegas – Carter Hart

Allowed 4 goals on 31 shots in Game 4 (.871 SV%)

Neither goalie dominated Game 4, but Vejmelka has been steadier across the series.

Key Player Matchups

Clayton Keller (UTAH) vs. Jack Eichel (VEG)

Keller scored in Game 4 and led Utah with 7 shots.

Eichel posted 3 assists and 6 shots in Game 4.

Brett Howden (VEG) vs. Utah’s Defensive Pairings

Howden scored two goals in Game 4, including the OT winner.

Special Teams Battle

Utah PP: 20.0% (46 goals on 230 attempts)

Vegas PK: 81.37% (38 GA on 204 attempts)

Utah’s power play is solid, but Vegas’ penalty kill is top‑tier.

Game Odds

Utah Mammoth               5.5

Vegas Golden Knights    – 166

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, April 28, 2026