^{The Mammoth make their first – and maybe not last – trip to Raleigh this season}

The Utah Mammoth return to Raleigh for the first time in almost a year. Utah’s looking to change are looking to avenge a loss last year that was one of the worst in the fledgling team’s history. This time, though there are clear playoff implications on the line, as Utah continues to try and improve their grip on a wild card position, while Carolina fights Detroit and Tampa Bay for top seed in the Eastern Division.

These teams have only met twice, but both games have meaning for Utah for different reasons. The last meeting between these two clubs was… not great for Utah. Losing 7 – 3 in a game that wasn’t even that close, Carolina gave Utah their worst ever defeat up until that time. That followed a stunning, historic game in Utah as Karel Vejmelka cemented himself into Utah’s lore after a 49 save shutout, which included a 7 minute power play (plus a follow up penalty giving Carolina 35 seconds of 5 on 3 time).

Carolina marks the third of three straight games against a team with championship caliber players, with the Hurricanes again poised to make a deep run in the playoffs.

What’s makes the Hurricanes surge?
Honestly, Carolina may be the best team the Mammoth face outside of Colorado. The Hurricanes are dominant in most aspects of the game; they rank second in shots per game against opposing goaltenders, while being the absolute best at shot suppression. They own a nearly +8 shot differential against their opponents for the year, just a minute fraction behind the Colorado Avalanche (who provide massive shot volumes for themselves).

That shot volume pays off for them too. While they don’t have a Nathan MacKinnon or a Cale Makar to fuel their offense, they get balanced scoring from a number of players. Leading the pack is Seth Jarvis, who is a great two-way player and top goal scorer. Jarvis, with 23 goals, also leads the team in short handed goals, scoring half of the team’s 6 shorties. Jarvis plays in all situations, a member of a lethal PP1 unit, and fluctuates between a PK1 and PK2 position. Jarvis has one of the best hockey IQ’s out there. For newer readers, a hockey IQ refers to the way he sees the ice, the plays developing, and is a general quick understanding of how plays are unfolding. He’s quick at reading play development, and makes smart decisions on where to move next.

Jarvis is their best goal scorer this year, but there are two other major stars to account for. Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho, his linemates, are crushing it this year as well. Aho and Svechnikov have a combined 35 goals and a whopping 60 assists between them. Aho, averaging exactly a point per game, is a dynamic center that also anchors their PP1 unit. His contributions there are scary – with 16 power play points and, why not, a shorthanded goal as well.

Since the start of 2026, Jarvis, Aho, and Svechnikov are all over 1 point per game players. To say that’s a dangerous first line is an understatement. However, couple that with play from Nikolaj Ehlers – also over 1 point a game – Taylor Hall, who has 5g, 5a this month, and Logan Stankoven (pronounced Stank-hoven, but stank oven is fine) and you’ve got 2 power play units that are on fire, as well as major scoring threats on three lines.

Their power play, fueled by all those threats above, sits at over 30% for January. Their penalty kill? 82.5% and with a pair of short handed goals this month.

The Hurricanes, offensively, aren’t weak in any position. However, they do have a weakness, and that’s in net. But not in the way you think…

Brandon Bussi, a waiver claim out of desperation, has been outstanding in his first NHL go-around. He’s an astonishing 19-3-1 and broke records for the most games won as a rookie in a row. He’s posting just a 2.15 goals against average with a .911 save percentage. Fantastic stats. But why does that make them weak?

Well, longtime Canes backup Frederik Andersen is 36 and is playing a far heavier split of games than most backups. Effectively, the are playing every other game, and Andersen’s age has shown. His save percentage is way nelow average, at just .869 and goals against is 3.23. While 3.23 is a great GAA, consider that the Hurricanes have had him face 25 shots or more just 4 times since November 1st – but twice in December.

Key points to secure a victory today:
Kick Their Bussi The Hurricanes goalie situation, as mentioned, has led to them alternating starts between their two tenders over the past two months. Bussi, playing every other, or two for every one that Andersen starts. Bussi started their last game, so there’s a good chance we see the backup today.

If Andersen starts, the Mammoth need to buck the trend that Carolina sets, and throw shots on him from everywhere. Andersen is far more beatable than Bussi, as his age definitely comes into play. Being tasked with a heavier workload than many of his colleagues – especially at his age – may end up costing the Hurricanes some big games. As the weakest link, Andersen could be Utah’s best player.

If, however, Brandon Bussi starts, the saving grace for Utah is that neither have seen each other in action. The good news about Bussi – he’s overly aggressive at times. For a team like the Mammoth that tend to hold on for that extra pass, this could actually be a major benefit. Bussi’s major attribute is his athleticism, which means he relies less on positioning than a traditional goaltender, and more on reflexes. If he tries to react to Utah’s shooters, players like JJ Peterka and Daniil But may be able to use their quick releases to catch him in a position he can’t return from.

Surging Tide The Mammoth will be tasked with facing 3 lines who can, and will, score at will. There really isn’t an easy matchup here for any of the top lines, but the most dangerous players, as mentioned above, will be the top line and power play unit.

To stop the surging tide, Utah needs to kill any potential sloppy play before it starts. No stupid penalties. No odd-man rushes against. Don’t get caught making sloppy passes in front of the net.

Play smart, simple hockey. Dump in their zone if there’s not any play to be made. Make sure you don’t jump the zone without clear possession. And above all, don’t make panic plays. If you need to pin the puck to the wall, even if it’s deep in your zone, do so and allow help to come.

Weather the Storm Without key players like Logan Cooley and now Dylan Guenther, Utah is not in the best position for a regulation win. In fact, this has the makings of a similar game to last year, with goaltending against and a relentless tide of Carolina attacks making short work of a tired Mammoth team.

While turtling is never an option, Utah can take advantage of their solid defensive play – including the stellar defensive turnaround of pseudo-center Nick Schmaltz. Schmaltz and company have a terrible task in front of them, which aims to contain and minimize the Canes offensive zone time.

If Carolina can’t get the hometown cooking on their penalty calls, and Utah can tilt play at least into the neutral zone, strong backup in the form of Karel Vejmelka – who’s stifled the Canes offense before – could be the difference between a regulation loss and at least an overtime point.

Projected Lineups:
Dylan Guenther still out of the lineup. Dimitry Simashev, recently called up, still not playing, and lineups look like they did in Florida.

Clayton Keller — Nick Schmaltz — Lawson Crouse
JJ Peterka — Barrett Hayton — Daniil But
Michael Carcone — Jack McBain — Kailer Yamamoto
Brandon Tanev — Kevin Stenlund — Liam O’Brien

Mikhail Sergachev — Sean Durzi
Nate Schmidt — John Marino
Ian Cole — Nick DeSimone

Karel Vejmelka
Vitek Vanecek

Game time 5PM; game available on Utah 16 and SEG+

TUSKS UP!