Utah has beaten every team in the league at least once, but not every team has beaten them…

The Utah Mammoth remained in the Tri-State area, following their loss to the New York Rangers. They walked into the literal Devils Den, taking on New Jersey at the Prudential Center.

The Devils and Mammoth both were looking to recover from tough games in their previous outing, as the Devils look to establish themselves in the Metro division, and Utah looks to get back to their dominant ways.

FIRST PERIOD:
Jack McBain was welcomed to Prudential Center by Timo Meier’s stick 10 seconds into the game, and Utah was given an opportunity to take a face off in the Devils’ zone before the sound of the anthem stopped reverberating in the rafters.

The best power play in the NHL was out early. The Mammoth wasted no time with a couple of early shots by Dylan Guenther and Nick Schmaltz, but Jake Allen was able to make the stops. Logan Cooley took a bad tumble, forcing a whistle, but came back for the next shift. Shortly after, great puck movement in the offensive zone saw a great head-fake by Mikhail Sergachev open a little bit of space for captain Clayton Keller to get a good look at the net. Keller’s shot made its way through traffic, beating Allen early, and the Mammoth were on the board less than 2 minutes into the game. 1-0 Utah

After an Andrew Peeke shot hit the post, the Devils started to push. They ended up nearly getting a breakaway at the 16 minute mark, but Dmitri Simashev broke up the play by angling Meier to the boards. However, the Devils had some zone time and a little push, which would get a little more chaotic for Utah. Simashev ended up taking a retaliation penalty, cross checking Meier after Meier cross checked Daniil But to the ice.

The league’s tied for best penalty kill went to work; several shots came through on Karel Vejmelka, but he was able to turn everything aside. Two good looks from Anthony Mantha and Dougie Hamilton late in the power play were scary for a moment, but ultimately were unfruitful for the Devils. The Devils did get a good chance from Jesper Bratt after the kill, who had a semi-breakaway on the wing, but Vejmelka had a great angle and Bratt wasn’t able to convert.

The Mammoth had their second power play with just under 13 minutes to go. John Marino was able to draw a tripping penalty on Brenden Dillon, putting that lethal power play unit back on the ice. The Devils got an early clear, but Utah established lengthy zone time, with great puck movement. Keller had a good look a little over halfway through, but Allen turned him aside. PP2 unit saw a little action, with Vincent Trocheck having fantastic positioning for a shot in the low slot, but he missed the net. Michael Carcone got a beautiful feed from Anders Lee, but held on a little too long, giving Allen time to recover. Ultimately the PP unit would have a rare case of not converting, and the score remained unchanged.

Play was a little open after the PP ended, with Utah getting some pressure from Daniil But making plays deep in the Devils defensive zone, but Mackenzie Weegar took exception to a hit on Trocheck and took a 2 minute timeout.

The Devils power play had good puck movement initially, but an awfully weak call on a hook by Lawson Crouse put the Mammoth down 2. The perfect penalty kill unit would face their biggest test of this young season, but unfortunately would not be able to withstand the onslaught. The Devils had more than a minute and a half with the 2-man advantage, but would strike early. Just about 20 seconds, Jack Hughes threw a shot that was tipped by Luke Evangelista, his first in red and black, and the Mammoth would still find themselves down a man with a minute and a half to still kill. 1-1 TIED

The remainder of the penalty kill was solid, allowing a pair of shots, but neither were very dangerous, as the remainder of the PK went to plan. A broken play with about 3 and a half to play allowed Meier to get past Weegar, though the defenseman was barely able to recover in time, helping ensure Vejmelka could maintain position for the save.

The remainder of the period was open skating but no real chances for either team, and they’d go down their respective tunnels knotted at 1.

Utah was outshot in the 1st period for the first time this season, as New Jersey also posted the first double-digit shot period against the Mammoth. 11 – 8 after one.

SECOND PERIOD:
Play was tumultuous for the first 90 seconds, with both teams skating back and forth with open ice and a few tossed shots. However, the Mammoth would strike for the second time in the opening 2 minutes of the frame.

Shortly after a 3 on 2 rush by the Devils was broken up by a good defensive play by Peeke, the Mammoth pushed play the other way. Lee, on the forecheck, forced a turnover in the Devils defensive zone. Utah swung the puck to the point for a Weegar shot, which never made it through. Logan Cooley grabbed the rebound, and passed to a waiting Sergachev. The shot hit bodies in front of the net, and the loose puck was swatted at by Anders Lee. Allen went down to stop Lee’s attempt, and the rebound was picked up by a pinching Weegar. Allen lifted his pad just an inch, and Weegar slid the puck under it with just enough force that it was able to ricochet off Allen’s other pad and just past the goal line. 2-1 Utah

The Mammoth jumped off the face-off to prevent any immediate counterattack from the Devils, and the next 2 minutes were just fluid back and forth. McBain nearly had a breakaway from a home-run pass from the defensive end, but it just went long. Vejmelka was forced to make a sneaky-good stop on Hughes from the slot, and play continued.

Weegar had a shot after a great play by Barrett Hayton stripped the puck in the offensive zone, giving the Mammoth another ultimately unsuccessful scoring opportunity. The teams traded zone time some more.

After a TV timeout, Evangelista netted his second of the game on a great tip. Tied up in front by Sergachev, Evangelista was well defended, but was able to get his stick out and on a Timo Meier shot and past Vejmelka. Honestly, there wasn’t even a defensive breakdown, this was just a really stellar play from the new Devils acquisition. 2-2 TIED

As much of the game, the next 4 minutes were back and forth, with a lot of skating, dump and chase, giveaways, and icings, but not real shots or scoring attempts. Team Tusk would, however, draw another power play, as John Marino got upended by Meier in his own zone.

The third power play started with a Guenther shot that went too high and cleared; the Devils managed another clear before Schmaltz stole the puck behind the net. He dished to Keller, who was alone in the slot but unable to handle the pass cleanly for a shot. The Mammoth persisted, however, and continued their passing clinic that the power play has been all season. Ultimately, the puck came to Schmaltz on the far goal line; he walked the puck in towards the slot and New Jersey seemed to prepare for the pass. Instead #8 ripped a shot that cleanly beat Allen glove side. The Mammoth had their second power play goal of the game, and regained the lead. 3-2 Utah

About the 6 minute mark, Vejmelka bobbled a shot that left a rebound momentarily, but the Devils were unable to make it to the puck due to some great defensive positioning. Off the faceoff, Lee had a rush up the far side boards, but couldn’t beat the defense and get a shot off.

With less than 5 minutes, Nate Schmidt took a Keller pass in a shooting lane, but was unable to beat Allen. Moments later, Nico Hischier drew a slash from Weegar, forcing the Mammoth on the penalty kill late in the period.

The Devils pushed right from the jump, as Evangelista’s bid for a hat trick was blocked, and Vejmelka was forced to make stops on a Luke Hughes shot. The Devils missed a few chances, then Evangelista’s stick broke allowing Cooley to rush shorthanded. Cooley was stopped by solid defensive play by Hughes; his brother Jack, however, turned the puck over to a streaking Schmaltz. Schmaltz tried to connect with Cooley at the near side, but the pass was tipped just enough that it disrupted the timing of the play.

The PK unit was again successful, though the extended time for the Devils power play did get some additional pressure. Vejmelka was able to smother a bouncing puck, getting play stopped with under 2 to go.

Hayton again made a great play, stealing a cross-ice pass and helping lead a rush with just about a minute to go. He chipped the puck up to Lawson Crouse, who crashed towards the net. As Crouse neared the crease and room disappeared, he attempted to get the puck back to Hayton for a shot. The pass missed, however Schmaltz – who was everywhere – picked up the loose puck for a shot. The initial shot was saved, and Hayton tried to swat it in from the crease. The puck hit the post, but spun for a second until Crouse got his stick on it to slam the biscuit home. The Mammoth struck within 2 minutes of the open and close of the frame and built themselves a two goal cushion. For now. 4-2 Utah

With 29 seconds to go, Sergachev took a clearing attempt to the open ear spot on his helmet, and immediately went to the locker room. The Devils had an odd-man rush with 15 seconds to go, with a shot by Meier being turned aside. The horn sounded, and Utah remained up by 2 going into the third.

Utah outplayed and outshot the Devils 14 – 10, leading 22 – 21 in shots after the second.

THIRD PERIOD:
The Mammoth started the third period without their most productive player of the night, as Sergachev remained in the locker room to start the period and was ruled out for the evening. Hopefully nothing serious. Play was initially in the Mammoth’s favor, but the Devils turned up the intensity very quickly as Dawson Mercer forced Vejmelka to make a big save.

After a turnover by Weegar at the 17 minute mark, Peeke helped cover the 2 on 1, and the defensive pair helped block a couple of dangerous shot chances to maintain the two goal lead. Jack Hughes tried to cut into that with a strip and quick shot from a sharp angle, but Vejmelka read the play the whole way.

The Mammoth mostly kept play in front of them, though Mantha did have a play down low with about 15 minutes left. His centering pass was disrupted by Simashev, who got down on the ice to prevent the pass, and the Devils had one last opportunity on a stolen clear, but ultimately were denied the goal they desperately needed.

McBain continued his heavy play, laying out Declan Chisholm on the forecheck, drawing the ire of Dillon. The two dropped the gloves, and McBain laid a massive beating on the Devils defenseman. In addition to getting his ass handed to him, Dillon also had the honor of a 2 minute roughing minor. That had to hurt… in multiple ways.

The blisteringly hot power play would go to work. After a pair of Devils clears, the PP1 unit put on display what makes them so deadly. Cooley had an early chance that got blocked, but the Mammoth kept control and kept moving the puck. The Devils PK unit scrambled to cover the barrage of lateral passes, and Guenther got open for a shot that went wide. Utah recovered, and immediately rewound the play. Marino, Keller, Schmaltz, each forward touched the puck and moved it to their preferred destination in half a second. Schmaltz had a chance at the side of the cage, but the miss was recovered and the play reset again. Evan Rodrigues, exhausted, tried to clear the puck but a jumping Guenther kept it in the zone. Allen robbed Guenther on the return of a give-give-go play, the Mammoth retained possession after 3 additional clears, and all in had 9 shot attempts in less than a minute. While the PP didn’t convert, it clearly overwhelmed the New Jersey defense, and only 2 big saves by Allen kept them within 2.

As the 11 minute mark passed, the Devils had a great chance when Hughes and Bratt circled deep in the Utah zone. Hughes got the puck from a besieged Bratt, covered by Simashev, and fed out Hamilton at the near dot. Hamilton’s shot, however, was swallowed up by Vejmelka, providing no rebound or follow up chances.

Off the faceoff, near the 10 minute mark, the Devils would get within one. A won faceoff led to a quick shot by Hamilton on the near boards blue line. The shot was blocked, and the puck kicked out to Jesper Boqvist in the slot. Boqvist was covered well by Marino, but this led to a screen on Vejmelka. Veggie went in the direction of where the puck was headed, while Boqvist went behind the body and threw a backhand on net. Before Vejmelka could recover, the puck was already in. We’re in for a nailbiter, folks… 4-3 Utah

The Devils pushed after the faceoff, pushing the Utah zone over the next two minutes. A Bratt attempted break was covered well by Simashev, who angled him to the outside, allowing Vejmelka to make a good positional save. Team Tusk played big, blocking several shots from the blue line to keep Vejmelka from being tested.

Utah played conservatively, but not passively. They chipped pucks out, tried to stop the Devils high in the zone as well as before zone entry. They got pucks deep, and just limited chances, even when the Devils had a chance to rush.

With just over 3 minutes left to play, a dump in by the Mammoth was stopped by Allen; Luke Hughes retrieved the puck but was harassed by Keller on the forecheck. This caused a turnover right at the blue line, where Schmaltz tipped the puck, and Trocheck it. Trocheck fed Keller as they crossed the blue line, as Hughes was out of position. The captain found Schmaltz streaking near side, and connected on the pass. Schmaltz, however, spotted Trocheck open on the far side of the net. Pulling the Devils defense towards him with an inside-out move, he feathered a pass over to Trocheck, who pulled the trigger in close, beating Allen and giving Utah a critical cushion within the final few minutes of the game. 5-3 Utah

The Devils did not go quietly, as Allen was pulled for the extra attacker with a little over 2:30 to play. The Devils pushed into Utah’s zone like the tide battering the shore, but repeatedly Utah got the puck cleared out of the zone. With about 100 seconds left, an icing call was negated when Crouse outraced Hughes to the puck. There was too much traffic for the Mammoth to get a shot on the open cage, but they still killed valuable seconds off the clock.

Meier, however, got a stretch pass from his zone, and nearly got past Weegar on the near side boards. The only reason he didn’t was the hold. Meier, however, went cross-ice to Hughes, who was crashing the net. Vejmelka sprawled out across his crease, denying the Devils superstar and keeping Utah firmly in the lead. Evangelista was fractions of an inch from his hat trick, however his shot hit the post, bounced back under Vejmelka, and was frozen as the big Czech lay on his back. The Devils dug the puck out from under him, putting it in the net and sending Prudential’s crowd into a frenzy, but that’s not allowed. The penalty, however, was assessed and the Devils remained alive with 1:20 to go.

The Mammoth got a big clear from Peeke before the Devils got 4 or 5 shot attempts off. Most went wide or high, though a few timely blocks helped both Vejmelka, and one of Kevin Stenlund, got the puck out of the zone. The Devils could not reestablish the zone, and a final clear by Schmidt brought the game to a close.

Utah outshot 12 – 9 in the third period. They were outshot for the game 33 – 31, the first time they’ve been outshot this season, and first time they gave up more than 10 shots in a period (2x).

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3 GOALS (THE GOOD):

Drive for 6… hundred?
Nick Schmaltz scored in his 4th straight game to start the season, his team and league leading 5th goal to put the Mammoth up 4-2. This season has been kind to #8, as he hit his 500th point early in the season, and has started off the season at a tear he’s never had before.

Schmaltz’ defense is extremely solid. His offensive playmaking has never been better. He’s found a gear in his game that I doubt many knew he could hit.

Schmaltz may not be the sniper that Guenther is, and he may not have the household name recognition that Keller has, but he’s been the beating heart behind the Mammoth offense every game this season, and it shows.

Is it possible that Schmaltz hits 100 points this season? In no world would I have thought before the season that it was possible, but all of a sudden, he’s leading the league in goals, power play goals, tied for 4th in total points with 7, and is rocking a cool 29.5% shooting percentage. Oh, and his PK unit is 13 for 14, giving up just a 5 on 3 goal. Good stuff.

Hellfire
It’s widely known there is no heat hotter than the fires of hell, though science has recently found something hotter. The Mammoth’s 8 power play goals in 13 opportunities is shocking. The Mammoth have more power play goals than any other team; the Rangers have 1 more game played, and 5 PPGs fewer. Vegas, with the same number of games, has 3 fewer. The only team with any reasonable comparison is Colorado, as the Avalanche have only played 2 games, and have 4 goals to show for it (in 9 attempts).

The power play went 2 for 4 today, and their efficiency actually dropped. In the words of Vizzini from Princess Bride, “Inconceivable!” What else is there to say?

Devil his due
I am not a Barrett Hayton fan, as I feel he’s not lived to his expectations and has regressed the entire time I’ve watched him. Imagine my surprise that I’ve picked him here as a top 3 reason the Mammoth had a good game.

Hayton’s defensive play generated the rush that caused the 4th goal. His play in front of Allen just missed getting him his first goal of the year, but he was key in setting up the Crouse follow up.

He had a strip in the offensive zone that led to a grade A scoring chance. He was out on the ice in defensively critical times, especially late in the third.

Very solid game, deserving of some praise from someone who is very, very hard on him.

Stick Taps (Honorable Mention)

Karel Vejmelka was fantastic in net today, being beaten only by close in tips. He lost sight of the Boqvist shot, but otherwise was solid and in position perfectly most of the game. I had to pick Hayton today, simply because I am happy to admit when I’m wrong, but Veggie deserves significant props for his play tonight as well.

3 CHIRPS (THE BAD):

Sergachev
No pun, nothing funny. Very scary to see him take a puck to the unprotected side of the helmet. Even though that was not a puck fired at 80+ MPH, any head injuries are scary. Hopefully, the jovial Russian is fine and this was just precautionary, but definitely a massive concern for us all. Be good, Sergy.

As for the guy that hit him….

Wea-ker
That was the worst good game I’ve seen someone play in a while. Mackenzie Weegar got on the stat sheet with a goal, 6 blocks, and a pair of hits. He also had 6 penalty minutes, with atrocious timing on 2 of the 3 calls.

I won’t fault him for going after Meier for his hit on Trocheck. I appreciate that, actually, even if it is detrimental to the team. You need to set a tone, and I will back that every day. However, that did lead to a 5 on 3 and a goal against. The two following penalties were both not ideal; the holding with 2 minutes left specifically was extremely dangerous. That hold only happened because of bad positioning. Not great. He repeatedly struggled with getting in position,

The puck to Sergachev’s head was completely accidental, but that was certainly the icing on the crap cake of his game tonight.

A Devil’s Bargain?
I legitimately have struggled a bit to find a lot of bad in the systems right now, and toyed with the idea of the 3rd bad thing to be Brenden Dillon’s forehead. That dude’s gonna have a goose-egg like none other tomorrow. More seriously though…

The Mammoth are ridiculously good on the power play, and extremely stout on the PK. Special teams is great for this team so far this year. That’s an amazing situation.

Less amazing, though, are the Mammoth’s even strength stats. A shade over half of their goals have been at 5v5, with 9 at even strength.

Is this a problem? Not yet, no. However, Utah was significantly better at 5v5 than the power play last year. Granted, it was impossible to be worse, but the overall even strength potency of the team has shown some regression.

Perhaps that’s due to the overly spectacular power play. Perhaps it’s a little more defensive gameplay when even – the Mammoth have been outscoring opponents 9-6 even strength after all.

My only concern is that the team overly relies on production from the power play. If and when things normalize, it’ll be good to know that 5v5 this team is at least as good as last year.

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Next up:

The Mammoth head up to Boston on Thursday to throw some L’s in Boston Harbor. Game at 5 EST, so leave work early.

Tusks Up!