A 2-1-0 Opening Week
The Utah Mammoth closed the first week of the regular season with a 2-1-0 record. They opened with a 6-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks and followed it with a 4-1 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The lone defeat came against the New York Rangers, 4-2, in the second half of a back-to-back. Utah now enters the second week of the season with three road games on the schedule.[S1]
Milestones for Keller and Schmaltz
Captain Clayton Keller recorded his 600th career NHL point on Saturday. In the same game, his linemate and friend Nick Schmaltz reached the 500th career NHL point benchmark. Schmaltz leads the team with four goals, while Dylan Guenther has three. Five other Utah skaters have scored one goal each, giving the Mammoth seven players with goals over the first two games.[S1]
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Cossa's First Start and a Special-Teams Surge
Goaltender Sebastian Cossa made his first NHL start on Saturday against Columbus. He stopped 17 of the 18 shots he faced from the Blue Jackets and recorded his second career NHL win. Utah's special teams have also started strongly: the Mammoth's power play (66.7%) and penalty kill (100%) both rank first in the NHL. Utah is one of six teams that has yet to allow a power play goal this season.[S1]
Three Stops to Close the Road Trip
Utah has three games this week to wrap up a five-game road trip. The week begins in New Jersey on Tuesday, before Utah plays Boston on Thursday and Buffalo on Saturday. Center Vincent Trocheck made his return to New York on Sunday night, and the Rangers honored their former center with a video tribute during the first period.[S1]
