The New York Islanders head to Utah for a Friday night showdown against the Mammoth on November 14, 2025, looking to build on their recent momentum. Fresh off a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Islanders enter this matchup with a 9-6-2 record, facing a Mammoth squad that holds a 10-7-0 mark and appears to be finding its stride in the Central Division.
This interconference battle presents an intriguing stylistic matchup as the Metropolitan Division visitors look to extend their winning ways on the road. With both teams dealing with injury concerns but featuring strong lineup depth, this game promises to deliver competitive hockey at the Delta Center with a 9:00 p.m. ET puck drop.
Islanders vs Mammoth projected lineup November 14 2025: New York’s forward combinations
The Islanders’ forward group for this contest features a strategic blend of skill and grit across all four lines. Bo Horvat centers the top line, flanked by Emil Heineman on the left wing and Kyle Palmieri on the right. This combination provides a balanced attack with Horvat’s two-way prowess, Heineman’s playmaking ability, and Palmieri’s scoring touch.
The second line showcases pure offensive firepower with Jonathan Drouin and Simon Holmstrom flanking star center Mathew Barzal. This trio has the speed and creativity to generate high-danger scoring chances consistently. Barzal remains the focal point of New York’s attack, and his chemistry with linemates will be crucial against Utah’s structured defensive system.
Veteran captain Anders Lee anchors the third line alongside Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anthony Duclair. Lee’s net-front presence combined with Duclair’s speed creates matchup difficulties for opposing defenses. Pageau’s faceoff expertise and defensive reliability make this line effective in all three zones.
The fourth line features the rugged combination of Casey Cizikas, Calum Ritchie, and Maxim Tsyplakov. This energy line brings physical intensity and defensive responsibility, providing crucial minutes that allow the top lines to remain fresh throughout the game. Cizikas remains one of the league’s premier fourth-line centers, while Ritchie’s young legs add an interesting dynamic to the bottom six.
Islanders vs Mammoth projected lineup November 14 2025: Utah’s offensive attack
The Mammoth counter with their own potent offensive arsenal, led by the dynamic top line of Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, and Nick Schmaltz. This trio represents Utah’s primary scoring threat, with Keller’s elite playmaking vision and Cooley’s emerging star power. Schmaltz provides a stabilizing veteran presence, and his chemistry with Keller has been a cornerstone of Utah’s offensive production this season.
Utah’s second line features Michael Carcone, Barrett Hayton, and Dylan Guenther, offering a complementary scoring punch. Guenther’s powerful shot and offensive instincts make him a constant threat, while Hayton’s responsible two-way game provides balance. Carcone has proven himself capable of contributing offensively when given opportunity.
The third line brings physicality and skill with JJ Peterka centering Lawson Crouse and Jack McBain. Crouse’s size and power-forward style create havoc in front of the net, while Peterka’s speed stretches defenses. This line excels at wearing down opponents with forechecking pressure and cycle game dominance.
Kailer Yamamoto, Kevin Stenlund, and Brandon Tanev comprise Utah’s fourth line, bringing speed and tenacity. Yamamoto’s quickness and Tanev’s relentless work ethic make this a difficult matchup for opposing defenses. This group specializes in creating energy shifts that can change game momentum.
Islanders vs Mammoth projected lineup November 14 2025: Defensive pairings and strategies
New York’s blue line features a mix of experience and youth, with Matthew Schaefer partnering alongside Ryan Pulock on the top pairing. Pulock’s powerful shot from the point and strong defensive game make him a cornerstone of the Islanders’ backend. Schaefer’s mobility and puck-moving skills complement Pulock’s more stay-at-home style effectively.
The second pairing of Adam Pelech and Tony DeAngelo offers contrasting skill sets that mesh well together. Pelech’s shutdown defensive capabilities allow DeAngelo the freedom to activate offensively and quarterback power-play units. This pairing often draws difficult matchups against opponents’ top lines, a role they’ll likely fill against Keller’s unit.
Alexander Romanov and Adam Boqvist round out the third pairing, providing solid depth. Romanov brings physicality and strong gap control, while Boqvist contributes offensive instincts and transition speed. With Scott Mayfield scratched and Ethan Bear on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, this defensive corps must deliver consistent performances.
Utah’s defensive structure features Mikhail Sergachev and Dmitri Simashev on the top pairing, combining Sergachev’s offensive capabilities with Simashev’s developing two-way game. The second pairing of Nate Schmidt and John Marino provides veteran stability and reliable puck movement. Ian Cole and Nick DeSimone complete the defensive rotation, offering depth and penalty-killing expertise. The absence of Sean Durzi, who has missed 16 consecutive games with an upper-body injury, remains a significant factor for Utah’s blue line.
Islanders vs Mammoth projected lineup November 14 2025: Goaltending matchup and special teams
Between the pipes, the Islanders are expected to turn to David Rittich after Ilya Sorokin made 26 saves in Thursday’s overtime victory at Vegas. Rittich provides reliable backup goaltending and allows New York to manage Sorokin’s workload during this back-to-back situation. With Semyon Varlamov on injured reserve with a knee injury, Rittich’s performance becomes even more critical to the team’s success.
The Mammoth counter with their own goaltending tandem of Karel Vejmelka and Vitek Vanecek. Both netminders have shown capability this season, giving Utah coach Andre Tourigny flexibility in his starter selection. Vejmelka’s athleticism and Vanecek’s positional soundness provide Utah with confidence regardless of who gets the nod.
Special teams could prove decisive in this matchup. The Islanders’ power play benefits from Barzal’s playmaking wizardry and Palmieri’s net-front presence, while DeAngelo quarterbacks from the point. Utah’s penalty kill has been solid, but defending against New York’s skilled forwards requires discipline and structure.
The Mammoth’s power play features multiple shooting threats, with Keller’s vision and Guenther’s one-timer creating scoring opportunities. New York’s penalty kill, anchored by Cizikas and Pageau, must maintain aggressive pressure without opening up shooting lanes. Similar to what was seen in their recent matchup against the Rangers, the Islanders will need their penalty kill to remain disciplined throughout the contest.
Key factors and what to watch in Friday’s contest
The back-to-back scheduling presents a significant challenge for the Islanders, who traveled from Las Vegas to Utah following Thursday’s overtime thriller. Fatigue management and depth utilization will test coach Patrick Roy’s line deployment strategies. The decision to skip morning skate indicates the coaching staff’s awareness of recovery needs.
Utah’s home-ice advantage at the Delta Center provides them with favorable matchup opportunities, particularly in the later stages of the game if the Islanders show signs of tired legs. The Mammoth’s ability to roll four lines consistently could wear down a New York team playing its second game in as many nights.
Faceoff battles will be crucial, with Horvat and Pageau leading New York’s efforts against Utah’s centermen. Winning draws in the defensive zone becomes especially important for a team managing fatigue, as it limits extended shifts in their own end. The Islanders have shown resilience throughout the season, demonstrated in their earlier matchups against tough division rivals.
The individual matchup between Barzal and Keller provides elite center-ice talent on both sides. Both players possess game-breaking ability and could determine the outcome with one moment of brilliance. Secondary scoring will also prove vital, as depth players must contribute to overcome the other team’s top line.
Injury reports and lineup adjustments
The Islanders navigate this game without several key contributors. Maxim Shabanov remains out with an upper-body injury, while Varlamov’s knee injury forces Rittich into action. Ethan Bear’s upper-body injury further depletes defensive depth. Kyle MacLean and Travis Mitchell join Mayfield as healthy scratches, indicating the coaching staff’s confidence in the current lineup configuration.
Utah faces its own injury challenges, with Durzi’s prolonged absence creating a void on the blue line. According to coach Andre Tourigny, Durzi is “still a little bit away” from returning despite skating Friday morning. Alex Kerfoot’s lower-body injury removes another piece from Utah’s forward depth. The Mammoth assigned Kevin Rooney to Tucson of the American Hockey League on Friday, further adjusting their roster composition.
These injury situations force both teams to rely on depth players stepping up in expanded roles. For the Islanders, players like Boqvist and DeAngelo must provide steady contributions without the safety net of additional defensive depth. Utah’s bottom-six forwards face similar pressure to deliver responsible minutes that protect their goaltender.
The Mammoth held an optional morning skate, suggesting they’re relatively healthy otherwise and comfortable with their preparation routine. Olli Maatta and Liam O’Brien are healthy scratches for Utah, providing emergency depth if needed during the game.
This Metropolitan Division versus Central Division clash presents both teams with an opportunity to build momentum heading into the weekend. The Islanders aim to prove their overtime heroics against Vegas weren’t a one-off performance, while the Mammoth look to defend home ice and improve their already solid 10-7-0 record. With star power on both sides and tactical adjustments necessitated by injuries, this Friday night matchup at the Delta Center promises competitive hockey that could be decided by special teams execution or a timely bounce. The projected lineups indicate both coaches are deploying their best available personnel, setting the stage for an entertaining interconference battle that showcases the depth and talent across the NHL landscape.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.