The Utah Mammoth have become the first NHL team to practice shootouts this season without having to use one in a game. This unusual situation has raised concerns among players and management about potential jinxes.
Key points
Utah Mammoth practiced shootouts without using one in games
First NHL team to have this situation this season
Players and management are concerned about jinxes
JJ Peterka and Logan Mailloux are key players mentioned
Utah MammothJJ PeterkaLogan Mailloux
Utah Mammoth right wing JJ Peterka (77) skates past St. Louis Blues defenseman Logan Mailloux (23) during the first period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Utah Mammoth right wing JJ Peterka (77) skates past St. Louis Blues defenseman Logan Mailloux (23) during the first period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
A few weeks ago, the Utah Mammoth were practicing shootouts to end a practice at the Mammoth Ice Center in Sandy. Nearly the entire team had shot before someone finally scored.
Walking past a couple of team executives on my way to the locker room, I commented that it was a good thing they hadn’t been to a shootout yet this season.
Hockey players are notoriously superstitious, and apparently management is, too. Their instant reaction — both of them — was that I’d just jinxed it.
I made sure to knock on wood as I walked away to reverse it, and the Mammoth avoided a shootout for the 82nd time this season with a 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday, marking the first time a team game gone an entire 82-game season without a shootout since the institution of 3-on-3 overtime.
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St. Louis Blues center Jack Finley (37) shoots past Utah Mammoth defenseman (98) during the second period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Q&A
Why is the Utah Mammoth's shootout practice significant?
The Utah Mammoth's shootout practice is significant because they are the first NHL team to practice shootouts without having to use one in a game this season, highlighting a unique situation in the league.
What does it mean for a team to avoid shootouts in the NHL?
Avoiding shootouts in the NHL means that the team has managed to win games in regulation or overtime, which can be seen as a positive sign of their performance.
Who are the key players mentioned in the Utah Mammoth's shootout practice?
Key players mentioned include JJ Peterka, a right wing for the Mammoth, and Logan Mailloux, a defenseman for the St. Louis Blues.
What are the implications of superstitions in hockey for the Utah Mammoth?
Superstitions in hockey, particularly among the Utah Mammoth's management, suggest that they believe avoiding jinxes is crucial for maintaining their current success without relying on shootouts.
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Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) and St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer (30) stretch before an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) warms up before a game against the St. LouisBlues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) makes a save during the first period of an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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St. Louis Blues left wing Pavel Buchnevich (89) celebrates after scoring during the first period of an NHL game against the Utah Mammoth at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth center Kevin Stenlund (82) skates onto the ice during player introductions before an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) makes a save during the first period of an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) shoots past St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Holl (4) during the first period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) celebrates after scoring during the first period of an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) skates after a loose puck during the first period of an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) celebrates with center Alexander Kerfoot (15) after scoring during the first period of an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans celebrate after a goal by Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) during the first period of an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) reacts after scoring during the second period of an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans react as a goal by Utah Mammoth left wing Brandon Tanev (13) is called off for goaltender interference during the second period of an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) makes a save during the second period of an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (18) reacts after scoring during the second period of an NHL game against the Utah Mammoth at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) makes a save during the second period of an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (18) reacts after scoring his second goal of the game during the second period of an NHL game against the Utah Mammoth at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) checks St. Louis Blues right wing Jonatan Berggren (29) into the boards during the second period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (18) celebrates with right wing Jimmy Snuggerud (21), left wing Dylan Holloway (81) and defenseman Colton Parayko (55) after scoring his second goal of the game during the second period an NHL game against the Utah Mammoth at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) skates with the puck during the first period of an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans celebrate a goal by Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) during the first period of an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) makes a save against St. Louis Blues center Jack Finley (37) during the first period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth right wing JJ Peterka (77) skates past St. Louis Blues defenseman Logan Mailloux (23) during the first period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Players are introduced before an NHL game between the Utah Mammoth and the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) tries to clear the puck past St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (18) during the first period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) looks on during the second period of an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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St. Louis Blues defenseman Logan Mailloux (23) skates with the puck during the second period of an NHL game against the Utah Mammoth at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko (55) checks Utah Mammoth center Liam O'Brien (38) into the boards during the third period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Tusky hypes up the crowd during the third period of an NHL game between the Utah Mammoth and the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) moves the puck along the wall during the third period of an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth Governor Ryan Smith addresses the crowd after an NHL game between the Utah Mammoth and the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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The St. Louis Blues bench celebrates after taking a 4-3 lead during the third period of an NHL game against the Utah Mammoth at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (18) fist bumps his teammates as he skates past the bench after scoring an empty net goal to complete his hat trick during the third period of an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth left wing Brandon Tanev (13) chases a puck during the third period of an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) receives the All-In Award from Smith Entertainment Group Senior Vice President of Marketing Elaine Pappas after an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) accepts the Community Obsessed Award from Utah Mammoth owner Ashley Smith after an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther, left, poses for a photo with Utah Mammoth General Manager Bill Armstrong after receiving the Three Stars award after an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth President Chris Armstrong, right, gives Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) the Leading Scorer Award after an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) poses for a photo with Smith Entertainment Group Chairman and CEO Ryan Smith after receiving the Team Most Valuable Player award after an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) skates to accept the MVP award after an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) applauds as he thanks the fans after an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth players tap their sticks as they thank the fans for their support during the regular season after an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Ralph Siverston, of Draper, reacts after being given a signed stick as part of fan appreciation night during an NHL game between the Utah Mammoth and the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
As much as the team didn’t want to avoid the shootout, it’s an important part of hockey.
Lots of people disagree with me, but constantly watching Pavel Datsyuk’s shootout clips on YouTube as a kid was a major factor in my initial obsession with hockey.
With attention spans now shorter than ever before, TikTok-length clips are much more effective at capturing new fans than putting three-hour-long games on ESPN, and that’s exactly what the shootout is.
Is it the best way to decide the winner of a game? No, but shootouts grow the game, and that’s a top priority in Utah at this time.
The first that never was
On three separate occasions this year, Brandon Tanev scored his first goal of the season. Alas, he finished 2025-26 with zero goals.
Two of them were taken away due to coach’s challenges — including one in Game 82 on Thursday. The other was initially his deemed goal, but the credit was later changed to Daniil But.
His teammates felt terrible for him.
“I think when you watch that goal go in, if you pan in on our bench, you’ll see a lot of cheers and high fives,” said Mammoth associate captain Lawson Crouse.
“You feel horrible, you know, especially a guy that gives his all each and every night. Great teammate and really wants the best for the team and everyone involved.”
After Tanev’s goal came off the board on Tuesday, he seemed that much more motivated to get one that would count. He even tried to skate up the middle through a few guys at one point, and he almost pulled it off.
It has often been said that there are players who get you to the playoffs and others who get you through them. Tanev’s high-octane, physical playing style is exactly what teams need in the postseason, so he still has plenty left to give this season.
Ain’t no rest for the Mammoth
After clinching playoff spots this season, several teams have suddenly had all their key players stricken with “undisclosed” injuries. Translation: Load management heading into what they hope is a long playoff run.
In terms of playoff seeding, Thursday’s game was meaningless for the Mammoth. Regardless of the result, they will play the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round and they will not have home-ice advantage.
But the Mammoth chose to only rest Dylan Guenther — even with the option of giving Kevin Rooney his second game of the season. Karel Vejmelka even started the game, though he didn’t play in the third period.
Head coach André Tourigny specified two reasons for the decision:
They only had one meaningless game, whereas some other teams had many;
The players like the rhythm of playing every other day, more or less.
He said he asked the leadership group if the players wanted to rest, and they responded that it wasn’t a good idea.
“I think the guys wanted to play, and I think in our situation to keep the rhythm and to get ready, (everyone played),” Tourigny said.
Unspoken bonuses
Generally speaking, NHL players are pretty discreet about their money. They make more in a year than the average person makes in a decade or longer, but they tend not to flaunt it.
For that reason, you won’t see Logan Cooley cheering about the $500,000 bonus he secured on Thursday — nor will you hear him complain about the $250,000 his long-term injury cost him.
In the NHL, bonus money can only be given to two categories of players: those on entry-level contracts and those who are 35 years of age or older.
This is the final season of Cooley’s ELC, which, per PuckPedia, includes every bonus available to entry-level players.
Cooley had previously secured $250,000 for scoring his 20th goal of the season. On Thursday, it became official that he was among the team’s top six forwards in terms of playing time and that he was above 0.73 points per game.
Each of those markers are worth an additional $250,000, meaning he totaled $750,000 in bonus money this season. Not bad, considering his base salary is $950,000.
Had he played the full season, Cooley likely would have eclipsed the 35-assist and/or 60-point marks, either of which would have put him at the max of $1 million earned in A-level bonuses.
He’s also eligible for up to $2.5 million in B-level bonuses, but unless the award voters do something unexpected, he won’t capture it.
Of course, that money pales in comparison to the $10 million he’ll earn each of the next eight seasons, but even as a multi-millionaire, that’s an exciting bonus check to receive.
That money will have to be counted toward the salary cap. If the team has cap space available at the end of the season, it is taken from that. If not, it is applied to the following season.
In the Mammoth’s case, they owe Cooley $750,000 and Ian Cole $200,000 for his age 35+ bonuses, awarded for playing more than 65 games.
PuckPedia lists the Mammoth as having nearly $5.5 million in projected cap space, meaning they won’t have to carry any of it over to next season.
Utah Mammoth playoff schedule
The NHL announced the first portion of the Mammoth’s playoff schedule after Thursday’s games. It will go as follows, with all times listed in MT:
Game 1: Sunday, April 19, 8 p.m. @ T-Mobile Arena.
Game 2: Tuesday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. @ T-Mobile Arena.
Game 3: Friday, April 24, 7:30 p.m. @ Delta Center.
Game 4: Monday, April 27, Time TBD @ Delta Center.
Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, April 29, Time TBD @ T-Mobile Arena.
Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 1, Time TBD @ Delta Center .
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, May 3, Time TBF, @ T-Mobile Arena.
Players are introduced before an NHL game between the Utah Mammoth and the St. Louis Blues at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
