Utah Returns to Vegas Looking for a Different Ending

There’s a little unfinished business between Utah and Vegas.

The Mammoth return to T-Mobile Arena Wednesday night for the first time since their six-game playoff series against the Golden Knights, and fans won’t have to look far for a reason to be excited about this matchup.

Utah (10-7-1) faces Vegas (12-5-2) at 7:30 p.m. MT. Three of the six playoff games last season were decided by a single goal, so these teams are no strangers to close, hard-fought hockey.

The Mammoth are coming off a 4-2 loss to Ottawa, with captain Clayton Keller and Barrett Hayton scoring. Logan Cooley leads Utah with 11 goals, while Keller has been the team’s biggest playmaker with 24 points.

Vegas has been a tough team to crack this season, allowing the fifth-fewest goals per game in the NHL. The Golden Knights are also coming off a 4-1 win over Buffalo, where Tomas Hertl scored twice.

Utah knows it will have to work for its chances. Getting bodies in front of the net, winning battles down low and avoiding costly turnovers will be important against a Vegas team that is dangerous in transition.

The Mammoth do have one major strength to lean on: their power play. Utah ranks second in the NHL at 37.1%, while Vegas sits ninth at 26.3%.

Wednesday also marks the final game of Utah’s six-game road trip. The Mammoth return home Thursday to begin a five-game homestand, starting with the St. Louis Blues.

The teams will meet twice more this season, with another matchup in Vegas on Dec. 3 before closing out the series April 3 in Utah.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. MT. The game will air on TNT, truTV and HBO Max.