The Utah Mammoth have bolstered their roster, announcing the signing of goaltender Vitek Vaněček to a one-year deal valued at $1.5 million annually. Vaněček, 29, is coming off a season where he contributed to the Florida Panthers' second consecutive Stanley Cup victory, although his personal stats weren't stellar, finishing with a 5-14-4 record, a 3.62 goals-against average, and an .884 save percentage across both the Panthers and the San Jose Sharks.

Over his NHL career, Vaněček has played a total of 188 games, recording a 96-56-21 record with a 2.83 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage, along with 10 shutouts. His playoff experience, accumulating a 2-4 record in 10 games with the Capitals and Devils, adds depth to his resume. Before joining the NHL, he showcased his talent in the AHL and ECHL, where he was recognized as an All-Rookie in 2015-16.

Nate Schmidt has signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract with the Utah Mammoth, marking a significant addition for the team. The 33-year-old defenseman tallied 19 points with the Florida Panthers last season and played a pivotal role in their Stanley Cup victory, registering 12 points in the playoffs. Schmidt's playoff experience is expected to bolster Utah's roster as they aim for a competitive season ahead.

In addition to Schmidt, the Mammoth also secured Brandon Tanev on a three-year deal worth $7.5 million. Tanev, who contributed 22 points last season, is set to enhance Utah’s offensive capabilities and provide essential playoff experience. The Mammoth's management expressed enthusiasm about the acquisitions, highlighting their commitment to building a strong team for the upcoming season.

In a recent game between the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils, goaltender Frederik Andersen exited due to a collision with Timo Meier. Coach Rod Brind’Amour announced that Andersen would undergo evaluation back in Carolina. Pyotr Kochetkov stepped in as the replacement. Meier expressed remorse over the incident, clarifying that it was unintentional, attributing the collision to an external push from teammate Andrei Svechnikov.

Meanwhile, in other updates, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier suffered a hit from Alex Ovechkin, which caused him to leave the game but later returned. In a separate incident, Carrier experienced another hit in the third period, this time from Tom Wilson. Additionally, Patrik Laine missed his second consecutive game due to an upper-body injury. The New Jersey Devils faced their own injury woes, as Johnathan Kovacevic missed a game with an undisclosed injury.

The Montreal Canadiens electrified the Bell Centre crowd with a memorable 6-3 victory against the Washington Capitals in Game 3 of their playoff series, narrowing the Capitals' lead to 2-1. The game was marked by a bench brawl that saw starting goalies Sam Montembeault and Logan Thompson exit with injuries. Rookie defenceman Lane Hutson captured the surreal atmosphere, while Captain Nick Suzuki described the night as emotional. The Canadiens delivered a full-team effort, highlighted by goals from Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Josh Anderson, among others. Heavy hits and passionate fans set the tone for a thrilling playoff night that marked their first home playoff game with a full house since 2017.

The Washington Capitals triumphed over the Florida Panthers with a 6-3 victory, boosting their record to 47-15-8. Alex Ovechkin contributed with two assists, while Dylan Strome set a new career-high with 68 points this season. The Capitals showcased a dynamic offense, scoring early and often, with notable performances from Connor McMichael and Tom Wilson each finding the net.

Despite a flurry of goals in the first period, which ended tied at 3-3, the Capitals pulled ahead in the second with quick strikes from Wilson, Strome, and Andrew Mangiapane. Logan Thompson's 33 saves helped secure the win, despite Vitek Vanecek's struggles in goal for Florida. Both teams failed to convert on their power plays, leaving the game at the mercy of even-strength play.