^{The Mammoth’s look to bounce back after a garbage game against the state that’s known for it.}

Sunday, the Utah Mammoth faced the New York Rangers, and their perfect record in New York ended. Hopefully this changes their fortunes in New Jersey, as the Mammoth have been hellishly burned over their previous visits. The Devils have not been gracious hosts, having only allowed the Mammoth a single tally in two games. I was in attendance last year, when Michael Carcone scored our first, and only, goal against Jersey. I guess I was sort of some good luck, but I’m hoping I never have to go there again…

The Devils missed the playoffs last year, in large part because Jack Hughes needs someone to cut his steaks for him. His absence was a big blow, and it highlighted the need for more depth and secondary scoring on the team. As a result, a new GM decided to address these issues. A revamped roster, including Evan Rodrigues, Anthony Mantha, and Luke Evangelista were added to bolster their roster.

It’s hard to get a good read on New Jersey just yet, as many have expected the Devils to have a rebound season. They have split their two games so far, beating the Philadelphia Flyers in their season debut at Prudential Center, then getting demolished by the New York Islanders out on the Island. They could be dealing with some early season growing pains, with the new recent additions, or they could still have some underlying issues – especially in net – that are only peeking through the cracks so far.

Part of those cracks may be due to the assets used to get some of their new faces. Jacob Markstrom was used in the package to acquire Rodrigues. In the 2025-2026 campaign, Jacob Markstrom terrorized the Mammoth with a .969 save percentage and GAA of 2. In the two games since Markstrom left, the Devils have given up 8 goals, as Nico Daws was torched for 6 last game.

Simon Nemec, their budding superstar defenseman, departed for Evangelista. This weakened the Devils right side a little defensively, but Nemec was also a strong offensive threat. While the Mammoth did not face him last year, the dynamic without him has definitely changed.

There is a lot of change there, but a lot still remains the same. Jack Hughes, without his bubble wrap, has been dangerous for Team Tusk, notching 4 assists in 3 total matchups. Dougie Hamilton, a lockdown defenseman, scored against Utah last time, adding offensive touch to his shutdown game. He’s also the only non-Hughes player to score a goal for New Jersey this year.

Expect the unexpected this game; I don’t even think NJD fans know what to expect yet.

Key points to secure a victory today:
Hot Stove
Coach Andre Tourigny noted that we lacked mental stamina and patience late in the game. Trying to force plays led to horrific turnovers, which compounded their problems. Being tired didn’t help, but the mental mistakes were ones that needed to be cleaned up ASAP.

The New Jersey Devils are going to be a test to what Tourigny’s team needed to learn from the New York Rangers loss. The Devils have one of the most explosive transition offenses in the NHL, designed to capitalize on turnovers. This was exactly the formula that burned the Mammoth against the Rangers.

The Mammoth need to be careful to not overextend themselves on the rush, not overcommit with pinching defensemen, and ensure they don’t get caught giving up too many rushes the other way. Unmentioned brother so far, Luke Hughes, is quick on the counter from the blue line, and Utah needs to be aware and account for their sneaky fast rush attack.

Trial By Fire
The Devils are an interesting mix of the playstyles they’ve seen already this year. The play much, much less of a heavy style than the Rangers do, but still have big physical guys like Timo Meier to grind in corners and get in front of the net. They play with less defensive focus than the Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets (at least on paper), but Hamilton and Hughes have a quick counter while still remaining defensively sound due to smart pairings. The Devils aren’t as much a run and gun as Chicago, but they still have quick puck movers like Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes, who can burn you on transition.

Utah needs to take the positives from each of their wins and apply it to a much more balanced Devils team. Hopefully, they can catch New Jersey during their “getting to know you” period and growing pains that still remain before all their new players completely gel.

Charlie Daniels
The Mammoth need to treat the Devils the way little Johnny did. Little Johnny out-fiddled the devil in Georgia, beating him at his own game. The Mammoth, likewise, need to beat the Devils at theirs.

The Devils have had a strong power play against the Mammoth, going nearly 25% with goals in 3 of their 4 meetings, 4 for 17 lifetime against us. Meanwhile, the Mammoth are 1 for 12 in all meetings, and haven’t had any effective offensive output anywhere.

Fast forward, though and the Mammoth enter the league with an unfathomable 66.7% PP rate, going 6 for 9 in their first three games. The Devils haven’t scored on the PP in 9 chances. Couple their lack of chemistry so far against Utah’s penalty kill – blanking all 9 attempts against – and the Mammoth have a clear edge on special teams.

In order to break their curse tonight, the Mammoth need to ensure they keep up their golden special teams play.

Projected Lineups:
According to the NHL this morning, Vejmelka expected in net and we’re running it back:

Clayton Keller — Nick Schmaltz — Vincent Trocheck
Anders Lee — Logan Cooley — Dylan Guenther
Jack McBain — Barrett Hayton — Lawson Crouse
Michael Carcone — Kevin Stenlund — Daniil But

Mikhail Sergachev — MacKenzie Weegar
Nate Schmidt — John Marino
Dmitri Simashev — Andrew Peeke

Vejmelka
Cossa

5PM puck drop, available on Utah16 and SEG+

TUSKS UP!