^{All’s good on the Mammoth front, as they smother the Maple Leafs 6-1 at home}

Two days ago, the Utah Mammoth played a game against a team coming off a back-to-back game against the Avalanche. They were outplayed, outhustled, and beaten by a tired team, last in the Eastern division, and coming off a 4-0 loss against Colorado.

Tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs visited, coming off a back-to-back against the Avalanche. However, they won – a rare feat at Ball Arena – while being the hottest team in the league with an 8-0-2 record with a 10 game point streak.

This had all the makings of a disappointment, a game that would knock Utah out of a potential playoff position in the standings, as well as put a damper on a great homestand so far.

FIRST PERIOD:
The Mammoth and Maple Leafs started out fast, and some early pressure by Utah’s third line. The Maple Leafs first opportunities were turned aside as Utah blocked shots and disrupted opportunities to force shots wide early on. Over the first 2 minutes, no official shots were generated by either side, but Toronto had a chance to chip a rebound off a missed early shot, but the chance also went wide.

Chippy, heavy play by Utah’s 4th line helped change the tone and the Mammoth started generating solid zone pressure. The newly formed third line forced play in the Toronto end, with a strong zone entry by Michael Carcone. A scramble in front of the net saw Jack McBain get tangled up with Dennis Hildeby’s stick, putting the Toronto goaltender at a disadvantage. Great puck movement from the defense and disarray as a pair of Toronto players fell on their goalie culminated in a chance with a wide-open Carcone on the near boards; a tape to tape pass from Nate Schmidt gave Carcone a one-timer opportunity, which he buried between Hildeby’s glove and pad short side as the netminder struggled to cover his post. 1-0 Utah

Toronto tried to mount a little pressure post face-off, but Utah’s 4th line held them off. Then, the first line got to work with a high-quality chance, as Clayton Keller picked up the puck from a missed Sean Durzi shot, and pulled a wraparound attempt on Hildeby. The chance failed, but the puck came directly to Nick Schmaltz who had two attempts to bury the rebound, but was unable to make it count.

Daniil But showed some physicality early, with a few hits on a follow up shift. Good to see from the youngester; growing into his size will be such a benefit for him and this team!

William Nylander took a hooking penalty partway through the period, but the Mammoth power play was interrupted as JJ Peterka took a hooking call of his own. Both teams skated 4 on 4 with old friend Matias Maccelli got a weak shot off, but neither team had much traction. Once Toronto made it to the power play, there was a really good chance they had in close, with John Tavares (FTG) trying to stuff a puck in tight, but Karel Vejmelka was dialed in and covered the puck in the crease before any more occurred.

After the successful penalty kill, Utah went hard on the attack. At the 10 minute mark, the third line again pushed massively – a rush and shot by Dylan Guenther was stopped, but follow up chances by Carcone and McBain back to back were both stopped, and two follow up chances by Schmidt and McBain were also turned aside. Utah had 3 or 4 great opportunities with the third line again, but failed to pad the lead.

Daniil But looked to have scored on a rebound, but the play was whistled dead before the puck crossed the line. A very, very frustrating sequence for the kid as the puck was loose and still playable well after the whistle sounded. Hildeby did not have control of the puck, so But was legitimately robbed of another goal in his first season. This is at least the 3rd time this year But’s hit net but the play was ruled dead.

Utah had to kill off a Barrett Hayton double minor, as he got into it with Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Somehow, a late punch didn’t also get a minor called, so Toronto went on their second power play of the game – this time, however, it was a full 2 minutes. Maccelli got a shot on net that Vejmelka was able to stop, with another stop on William Nylander and Easton Cowan to round out the great saves on the penalty kill.

Liam O’Brien, back after a few games, drew a tripping penalty – jumping over Simon Benoit saw the Leaf throw up a leg to catch O’Brien in the air, giving Utah their second man advantage. The Mammoth got a couple of chances off, but shots seemed to miss the mark aside from a good cross-ice save against Guenther. The teams then traded zone time through the end of the period, with little offensive chances for either. However, play opened up with less than a minute to go, with Troy Stecher just barely missing – hitting the crossbar over Vejmelka, and a late try by Dylan Guenther couldn’t get by a sealed near post, and the teams would go to break with the Mammoth up by one… not two like they should have.

Utah doubling up Toronto on shots, 12-6 after the first.

SECOND PERIOD:
The Mammoth opened up the second period giving up a breakaway chance to Tavares (FTG) within the first two minutes, however Vejmelka preserved his shutout with a well positioned glove save. started out exactly as the first ended, and Utah continued their pressure and positive play leading to an early goal.

The third line, again, caused massive chaos shortly after, with 5 fantastic opportunities in a span of 15 seconds. Guenther, Carcone, McBain, and Durzi all threw pucks at the net, forced a scramble, and kept collecting rebounds but were unable to double the lead. Vejmelka was then forced to make a critical stop after an Ekman-Larsson shot and Nicolas Roy stuff attempt up close.

Chippy play continued over the next two minutes, when Dylan Guenther would hit paydirt and double the lead. In an oddly reminiscent goal that reminded me of the Blue Jackets goal the other day, Guenther took a pass from McBain from deep in the zone. Streaking near side, Guenther rifled the puck up high, over Hildeby’s shoulder. The puck hit the goal bar in the back of the net and immediately back out fooling most of the crowd and the announcer. However, the referee and goal judge saw it, signaling his first goal of the night. 2-0 Utah.

Guenther liked his first goal so much, he decided to go at it again just a minute later. Taking a pass from McBain, Guenther cut to the middle of the ice. With space, due to a fallen Toronto defender, Guenther picked that dreaded goalie spot between the glove and pad, and threaded it perfectly. All of a sudden, we’re looking at a potential blowout on Dylan’s second of the night. 3-0 Utah.

Utah continued to pressure, with Nick DeSimone having a chance go wide, then Carcone tried a wraparound and follow up whack at the puck but couldn’t get by Hildeby. McBain then went to the box, giving the Leafs a third bite at the power play, but Vejmelka made some big saves on Auston Matthews and Morgan Rielly. After the penalty expired, Toronto had no further pressure in the period.

Brandon Tanev had a decent chance turned aside, and Utah continued their push through the rest of the period. With under 5 minutes to go, JJ Peterka finally broke his scoreless drought. Solid zone pressure led to a few shot chances, but a blocked shot from Ian Cole was picked up behind the net by But. But passed to the far boards for Peterka, who threw the puck on net. But, having cycled from behind the net, stood in front of Hildeby and took his eyes away for just a second, while the puck scooted between But,Troy Stecher, and ultimately Hildeby. 4-0 Utah.

At this point, both teams realized the rout was on, and Utah kind of took their foot off the gas, not doing much aside from one shot on Vejmelka that saw him make a sliding save on his pads, spinning while doing so and eliciting a fun response from the crowd.

Shots in the period – 11-9 for Team Tusk, as they comfortably lead in shots 23 – 15.

THIRD PERIOD:
The third period started out as you would expect with a 4-0 lead against a tired team. Toronto could really only muster hits against the 2nd line, including what appeared to be an elbow up high on Peterka. However, neither team had much zone pressure or opportunities until about 3 and a half minutes in. Ekman-Larsson was able to recover a clearing attempt at the boards and threw a shot on net. The puck hit Calle Jarnkrok in the skates, and he picked up the loose puck right in front of Vejmelka and roofed it over the blocker. Shutout bid ended. 4-1 Utah.

While Utah was able to stop any immediate counter-attack, the goal seemed to energize Toronto briefly. With 14 minutes to go, Vejmelka was able to deny Steven Lorentz from close in, and shortly Austin Matthews had a shot from the deep slot, one on 4 that Vejmelka was able to fend off. Matthews hit the post with nearly 11 minutes to go in the period, but close wasn’t good enough and the puck stayed out and Utah kept the lead.

John Tavares (FTG) had a shot blocked at the 8:30 mark. That was the last shot attempt, let alone shot or any significant zone pressure that the Leafs had for the rest of the game.

Meanwhile, Utah kept steady, not really turtling but not really putting much pressure in on Toronto either. They were mostly content in the first 10 in weathering any Leafs pushback, but then had opportunities start falling their way much more significantly after that. Guenther and Carcone almost connected, as Hildeby squared up to deny a hat-trick attempt, but the shot-pass missed Carcone’s tap in. But had another tip chance go wide. Finally, the same play that Guenther and Carcone missed on a few minutes earlier saw success when McBain took the back-door tap in in nearly the exact same play. McBain rewarded with a skill goal, not a header this time, and Utah padded the lead even more, 5-1 Utah.

Right after the drop, Utah pushed again, with Mikhail Sergachev trying a wraparound, and O’Brien trying to follow up, but no luck. Keller and Crouse both nearly connected a minute later, with Keller’s backhand shot, then Crouse’s backhander both saved by Hildeby, who was under siege at this point.

3 minutes to go, JJ Peterka’s forecheck caused a turnover deep in Toronto’s end. His pass to a wide, wide open Hayton in the slot was saved. However, Utah kept the puck in the zone and continued to push as Sergachev found Peterka for a one-timer from the dot. The shot was saved, but the rebound came right out to Daniil But who had an open net, no goalie interference calls, no fake whistles, no stoppages of any kind – and he buried it for his 3rd of the season.

Guenther gave it one more college try for the hat trick late in the game, but couldn’t get it past Hildeby and time expired.

Utah shelled Hildeby in the 3rd, posting 18 shots to Toronto’s 5. For the game, Utah 41, Toronto 20 – Utah had nearly as many shots in the 3rd period as Toronto had all game. Wow.

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3 GOALS (THE GOOD):

Beleaf in yourself Dylan Guenther, JJ Peterka, and Daniil But have all had some rough games lately. Even with Utah winning, these three in particular were struggling – or at least not getting good results for their efforts.

– Guenther had a 3 game point drought but also poor play, bad penalty minutes, and just seemed out of step.
– Peterka had been without a goal in 6 games, and had been punished with limited minutes in the Ottawa game. Earlier in the game, he also had taken a bad penalty to kill Utah momentum.
– But had another goal called off, and despite golden chances for weeks, has been struggling to put the puck in the back of the net – robbed several times, either by stellar goaltending or by the refs.

So, it was great to see that Guenther got 2 goals, and a helper, and But and Peterka were able to give each other a boost with a goal and an assist each.

I have said that there needs to be a better balance of lines – size and skill, netfront presence and sniper, and finally Andre Tourigny read my blog. But and Peterka is a pair I wanted to see pretty much since game one, and that pairing did well. However, the best setup of the night belonged to…

The McBain Scoring Train The third line, which had 2nd line minutes, was beyond amazing yesterday. Guenther (2g,1a,+4), McBain (1g, 2a,+4) and Carcone (1g, 1a,+4) generated 20 total shots – equal to what the entire Maple Leafs lineup did. +12, 4 goals, 4 assists for the line is just bonkers.

As mentioned above with the But-Peterka connection, Dylan Guenther does best when he has someone go to the net. With Logan Cooley still sidelined, being on a line with Barrett Hayton has hampered Guenther a bit. Hayton has stretches of going to the net, but also has long periods of more passive play. Guenther had a snipe to open the scoring, but then also got open when 2 Toronto defenders collided. That collision was due to McBain driving the zone.

Guenther also added an assist with a back-door tap by McBain, who again was crashing the net. Gunner also nearly had a second assist – and Carcone a second goal – with the exact same play minutes earlier.

Guenther’s shot has to be respected, and crashing the net gives Guenther a shooting and passing option both. With the additional tools at his disposal, Guenther made them count.

Special Teams, part 1 It was amazing to see the Mammoth shut down a Toronto power play that has been a juggernaut lately. Granted, it’s a back to back at altitude, but this power play gave up 2 goals, and the game, just the other night against a weak Columbus team.

Limiting a team with Austin Matthews, John Tavares, and William Nylander to no goals and 2 shots in 3 attempts? Fantastic.

The penalties tonight were rough, too. The Peterka call killed momentum on a power play, and the Hayton penalty (which didn’t get the reciprocal punch at the end for the other double minor) was more a gift than anything.

The McBain penalty, however, was a penalty you take all day. With Auston Matthews driving, you take that chance away from him every time. And, with the power play killed off, McBain likely helped put the game out of reach for the Mammoth, even if the stats never show it.

3 CHIRPS (THE BAD):

Special Teams, part 2 The Columbus Blue Jackets posted 2 goals against this penalty kill unit, with the same level of fatigue and far less star power. The PK cost the team a point in the standings. How in the world are you going to let Columbus post 2 in 3 attempts when they hadn’t scored all year, but let Toronto get blanked in the same situation?

Secondly, the Utah power play flat out sucks. Systems on the power play just do not work, and have not been adjusted. We’re currently sitting in the bottom 5 of the league. It’s not that Utah can’t score, mind you. Utah as a team is top 12 in goals scored for the year. Goals for on the power play? Tied for 30th with just 21. The only saving grace for Utah on the power play, so far, is that the Mammoth are just one of three teams not allowing a short-handed goal against. So, at least the power play isn’t completely useless.

Bearly acceptable The line changes worked out very well, so why am I complaining? Simple – I’ve been seeing this with advanced stats since November. Why, after weeks of suffering in November and December did lines finally get adjusted to players I have called out as complementary players for a long time?

Why is our power play so bad, as noted above?

Why are we overloading Vejmelka again as the starter?

I get it, a lot of the people I talk to are on the anti-Vanecek train. And I understand – not winning a game since early October looks bad. But Vanecek’s not losing Utah a lot of games. In fact, he lost 2 decisions that Utah got shut out in. He held Colorado to a single goal, and had a .962 sv% against the runaway President’s Trophy candidates. He posted a .917 on 36 shots when Utah was being outplayed and outchanced by an exhausted Blue Jackets team.

If coaching is reading about how Vanecek is playing and overplaying Veggie in response, that’s just another nail in the coffin.

I appreciate how But is getting extended playing time, and it’s showing that he’s ready to have that big breakout moment. A lot of coaches bench kids, give them short leashes, so how But has been handled is really one of the only good coaching decisions I can point to.

It’s definitely time to either get someone who knows advanced stats and trends to work with the team, or make significant changes in the off-season. Columbus has just pulled a trigger with a coach that wasn’t even that bad…

Televised Games Do you know how hard it is to find highlights on a non-SEG channel? Without ESPN+, it’s been a nightmare trying to get coverage for my recap. I knew about it going in, so my phone’s notepad was full of items to cover. However, without video replay to see when and where and how plays broke down (and from the upper bowl views), it’s extremely hard to get specifics during a recap.

It’s 2026. We have internet. We can get an NHL app that’s just NHL broadcasts when it’s a national game. Hell, it’s worth a subscription to the NHL app alone to watch out of market games in addition to ones local. I get blackout rules may still apply, but it’s time the NHL made its product accessible beyond needing a dozen damn subscriptions to other services.

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Next up:

Game 5 of 7 at home as Dallas comes into town for a big divisional matchup on Thursday.