The Utah Mammoth secured a win in their home playoff debut against the Vegas Golden Knights, taking a 2-1 series lead. The game featured standout performances, including two goals from Lawson Crouse.
Mentioned in this story
Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) celebrates with defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52), right wing Clayton Keller (9), defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) and center Nick Schmaltz (8) after scoring his second goal of the game during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
The Delta Center was so loud Friday evening that Utah Mammoth head coach André Tourigny had a tough time communicating the line rotations to his team.
âSeriously, we had some confusion on the bench,â he said. âGuys didnât know who was up â and, for people who know me, I can be pretty loud."
Mammoth star forward Dylan Guenther said there was one point when he even hopped onto the ice when he wasnât supposed to because whoever was supposed to go didnât hear his name.
The score of the game has not been provided in the excerpt.
Lawson Crouse scored two goals for the Utah Mammoth during their playoff debut.
The Utah Mammoth faced communication challenges on the bench due to the loud crowd at the Delta Center.
The Utah Mammoth played their home playoff debut on April 24, 2026.
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For Guentherâs money, that was the loudest game in franchise history, and remember, heâs the one who scored the teamâs first-ever goal.
âThatâs something I wonât forget,â he remarked.
At another point, Tusky, the mascot, held up a sign with a built-in decibel meter, which got up to 112 dB. One reporter in the building clocked 120 dB on his Apple Watch after a Mammoth goal.
For context, thatâs significantly louder than the 103 dB at the Honda Center in Anaheim, as recorded by the NHLâs content team on Friday.
Needless to say, hockey is alive and well in Utah two years into the NHLâs presence in the state, and fans were rewarded as the Mammoth beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in Game 3 of their first round Stanley Cup playoff series to take a 2-1 lead.
After taking the split on the road in the first two games of the series, the Mammoth had an opportunity to return home and command a lead Friday.
Game 3 worked out exactly as theyâd hoped, as they scored on four of their first eight shots for a 4-0 lead halfway through the contest.
The Golden Knights notched a couple to keep it interesting, but it ended in a convincing Utah victory.
âWe did a good job to weather the storm,â Tourigny said after the game. â... Obviously in the third (period), they had a big push and they played well.
âTheyâre a good team. They played really well. Proud of the way we defended and the way we weathered the storm in the first period, no doubt.â
Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) makes a save against Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
A fan waves a rally towel during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
A fan starts a chant during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) is showered with an assortment of vegetables after being announced as the second star of the game after the Utah Mammoth defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Cole Smith (22) skates to the bench after assisting on a goal by center Nic Dowd (26) during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Utah Mammoth at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) and defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) sit in the penalty box during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
The Utah Mammoth celebrate their first ever home playoff win after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) lines up a hit on Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (92) protects the puck from Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin (15) during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Vegas Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella speaks with media after game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) speaks with media after game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) speaks with media after game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth head coach André Tourigny speaks with media after game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller, left, and left wing Lawson Crouse, right speak with media after game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth head coach André Tourigny speaks with media after game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth head coach André Tourigny speaks with media after game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans cheer during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) jumps on the back of Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) reacts after losing his stick while fighting for a loose puck with Utah Mammoth defenseman Ian Cole (28) during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) protects the puck from Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) celebrates with the bench after scoring his second goal of the game during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) checks Vegas Golden Knights right wing Cole Smith (22) into the boards during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) dives to poke the puck away from Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden (21) as he prepares to shoot against Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) celebrates after scoring during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Utah Mammoth at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth center Kevin Stenlund (82) clears the puck away from Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth right wing Kailer Yamamoto (56) controls the puck ahead of Vegas Golden Knights center Nic Dowd (26) during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Rally towels are draped over seats ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans take photos on the Zammoth ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Rally towels are draped over seats ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Kids play street hockey on the plaza ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Kids play street hockey on the plaza ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
People walk around the plaza outside ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Josh Likes, of Utah County, gets a temporary tattoo ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Rally towels are draped over seats ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans get temporary tattoos ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
People walk around the plaza outside ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Rally towels are draped over seats ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
A Tusky plushy sits on the hat of a fan ahead of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
A general view of the inside of the Delta Center before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans enjoy pre-game festivities in the plaza before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans wave a flag outside the Delta Center before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
A general view of the inside of the Delta Center before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
A general view of the inside of the Delta Center before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
A general view of the inside of the Delta Center before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans walk to the Delta Center before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans walk to the Delta Center before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) warms up before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans look on during warmups before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) warms up before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
The Utah Mammoth warm up before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Alex Darrow and his son Charlie, 9, cheer before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans pound the glass as players warm up before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans cheer after Utah Mammoth defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) scored the first goal during the first period of game 3 during the first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans wave rally towels before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) skates onto the ice during player introductions before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans film during pre-game festivities before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Vegas Golden Knights center TomĂĄĆĄ Hertl (48) chases down a puck during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Utah Mammoth at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans stand for the national anthem before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) fires a shot past Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) to open the scoring during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) reacts after Utah Mammoth defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) scored during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
A young fan pounds the glass after a goal by Utah Mammoth defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans cheer after a goal by Utah Mammoth defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) celebrates after scoring the Mammoths first ever home playoff goal during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff against the Vegas Golden Knights series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) centers the puck past Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans cheer as Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) celebrates scoring a power play goal during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) celebrates after scoring a power play goal during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) bats down a puck ahead of Vegas Golden Knights right wing Cole Smith (22) during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) makes a save during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
The Utah Mammoth celebrate a goal by Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth right wing JJ Peterka (77) hits Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Kaedan Korczak (6) during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) controls the puck during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth defenseman Sean Durzi (50) lines up a hit on Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden (21) during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) shoots past Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) to score his second goal of the game during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
The Utah Mammoth celebrate a goal by Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) celebrates with defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52), right wing Clayton Keller (9), defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) and center Nick Schmaltz (8) after scoring his second goal of the game during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) hits Utah Mammoth center Liam O'Brien (38) during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Utahâs penalty kill was perfect for the first time in a game this series, holding Vegas, the NHLâs sixth-best power play team in the regular season, to no goals on four opportunities.
But that doesnât mean the Mammoth played a perfect game.
Per Natural Stat Trick, the Golden Knights controlled 72% of the scoring chances and 75% of the high-danger scoring chances. They also out-shot the Mammoth 31-12.
Thatâs simply the difference between a hot goalie and one thatâs struggling, but Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella isnât worried about that aspect of his teamâs game.
âI know Carter (Hart) well enough. He wants to work through it and I have full faith in him,â Tortorella said of his goaltender. âThere was no thought of taking him out.â
Game 4 is set for Monday, though the start time is still to be determined. It depends on how the other series go â specifically, if the Philadelphia Flyers complete the sweep of the Pittsburgh Penguins, it will open a time slot in the broadcasting schedule for an earlier game in Utah.
Meanwhile, the Mammoth and the Golden Knights will take their two days off to rest and game plan. This series is far from over.
In Game 1 of the Utah-Vegas series, the Mammothâs first line of Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz and Lawson Crouse was a collective -8 with zero points among the three of them.
Their goal differential improved to a positive number in Game 2, but they still failed to register any points. With Keller ending the regular season on a 10-game point streak, the group doesnât expect to struggle like that.
After Thursdayâs practice, Schmaltz told the Deseret News that it was time for his line to get going. He specifically mentioned three things:
It worked.
The group scored two of Utahâs four goals in Game 3 Friday, both off Lawson Crouseâs stick. Forechecking and getting pucks to the net were key components of their success, and creating rebounds would have been if Hart had managed to stop a single one of their shots.
âJust a little execution, little details that go a long way,â Keller said. âWeâve had times throughout the regular season, too, where weâve struggled a bit and kind of had to reset, and weâre still confident, we still have lots of chemistry. And, you know, weâre just going to continue to watch video and continue to get better each game.â
With a primary assist on Crouseâs first goal, Schmaltz joined Liam OâBrien as Mammoth players to register their respective first-career playoff points on Friday.
The bulk of Utahâs offense comes from the top two lines, and in the absence of the first, the second has stepped up all series long. Fridayâs game was no exception.
Guentherâs one-timer is finally getting the league-wide recognition it deserves, and he used it to score his second goal of the series.
Hockey fans have spent the week debating on social media where Guentherâs release ranks among the NHLâs top snipers. Tortorella weighed in.
âNo one is stopping Guentherâs shot. Thatâs just a bomb,â he said.