Full Breakdown
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Utah Mammoth: Game 4 Preview
4/27/2026, 9:06:36 PM
Game 4 Overview
Game 4 pits the Vegas Golden Knights against the Utah Mammoth at the Delta Center on April 27, 2026. Puck drop is 6:30 p.m. PT (9:30 p.m. ET). ESPN carries the game nationally; it airs on KMCC-34 (Vegas 34) and streams on the ESPN app and fuboTV.
Series Background
Utah leads the series 2-1 after a 4-2 home win in Game 3, the franchise’s first home playoff victory. Vegas won Game 1 (4-2) but dropped Games 2 and 3, leaving the series 4-2, 3-2, 4-2.
Lineup & Special-Teams Adjustments
Coach John Tortorella reshuffled the power-play: Pavel Dorofeyev moves to the first line and PP unit; Shea Theodore replaces Mitch Marner on top PP, shifting Marner to the second unit. Vegas entered the game 1-for-8 on the power-play in past two games.
Statistics Snapshot
Vegas leads Utah in shots. Mark Stone, Ivan Barbashev and Jack Eichel (3 points each) lead Vegas; Logan Cooley, MacKenzie Weegar and Lawson Crouse (3 points each) lead Utah. Utah netminder Karel Vejmelka made 30 saves in Game 3; Vegas starter Carter Hart was pulled after four goals on 12 shots, prompting talk of Adin Hill.
Implications
A Knights win evens the series and shifts momentum to Las Vegas for Game 5. A Mammoth win creates a 3-1 lead and puts Utah in position to close the series. Special-teams and goaltending are decisive.
Official Statements
Tortorella said the special-teams deficit has been a major factor in the team's struggles and justified the lineup changes. Marner noted power-play units have skill but must avoid over-passing. Andersson emphasized experience and said confidence is essential.
Criticism
Last Word on Sports analysts flagged Knights’ goaltending concerns, questioning reliance on Carter Hart after his removal and suggesting Adin Hill as a starter. They also noted inconsistent offense and warned a low-scoring game would favor Utah’s net-minding.
Conflicting Reports
Start-time listings differ: sources cite 9:30 p.m. ET or 6:30 p.m. PT. Local TV is KMCC-34 in one report and “Vegas 34” in another; national coverage is ESPN with streaming on ESPN app and fuboTV. Unclear whether Hart or Hill will start for Vegas.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think we’ve lost the special teams battle the first three games,” — John Tortorella, Head Coach, Vegas Golden Knights
- “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it; both units have skill,” — Mitch Marner, Forward, Vegas Golden Knights
- “you can tell a lot of them have won before,” — Rasmus Andersson, Defenseman, Vegas Golden Knights
- “Confidence is key. If you don’t believe in yourself, who will?” — Rasmus Andersson, Defenseman, Vegas Golden Knights
What’s Next
Game 5 is set for Wednesday, April 29, at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas. The Game 4 winner will decide whether the series returns to Nevada or stays in Utah for the next two possible contests.
