Utah HC Finds Life on Power Play in 4–1 Win Over League-Best Winnipeg Jets

Over the last 10 games, Utah has struggled mightily on the power play, converting on just 8.0% of its opportunities during that stretch, second worst in the league. 

So when Utah captain Clayton Keller scored just seven seconds into the team's first power play of the night, it was clear the offense was clicking early and was going to be a much different team on the power play. 

While the battle for the puck ensued along the boards, Keller patiently waited, never moving from the spot where he lined up for the faceoff.

When Utah's Nick Schmaltz corralled the puck after teammate Dylan Guenther jarred it loose behind the net, Keller's patience was rewarded. He took a pass from Barrett Hayton with no Winnipeg players anywhere near him.

Skating into open ice, Keller buried just Utah's second power play goal in its last 10 games

"Maybe the power play had been struggling a little bit but I think that's how you get better," said Keller. "When you struggle, you learn from it, you watch the video, you break it down a little bit more, and you simplify. We just had an attack mindset tonight. We finished when we had the opportunities and we worked away from the puck. That's a key for us."

Considering Utah had been converting at a 23.4% clip, 13th-best in the league, before its recent 10-game slide, Keller helping the team break through early on the power play gave Utah an early burst of momentum.

Not only did Keller’s goal spark the team, but it also marked his 500th career point.

"It’s cool. I honestly had no idea coming into the game, so I was a bit surprised," said Keller. "Lots of hard work and sacrifice. So many people in my life sacrificed for me to get to this level so I’m just super thankful for everything that they've done for me, my teammates, and my coaches. There are so many people that have helped me get to where I am. I still feel like I have a lot more to give, and I'm just getting started."

It wasn’t just Keller who reached an important milestone in his career.

Utah’s Barrett Hayton also matched his career highs in goals, assists, and points after assisting on Keller’s goal and later adding another power play tally for Utah.

The goal came in typical Hayton fashion: right in front of the blue paint, close to the net.

With Hayton’s tally, Utah finished the night with a 66.6% success rate on the power play, converting on 2-of-3 opportunities, a far cry from its 8.0% power play percentage over the previous 10-game stretch.

And to make it all the sweeter, that power play success came against the league-best Winnipeg Jets and arguably the best goalie in the league, Connor Hellebuyck.

"I like the fact that we’re not scared. We’re taking it the right way: ‘OK, let’s get at it,’" said coach André Tourigny. "We want that and we believe in ourselves... We beat Winnipeg twice this year; how we played against Dallas, how we played against L.A., how we played against Colorado. All those games were hard-fought games. I think that showed the character of our team and the leadership of our team. That’s why we love our team."

Along with Keller and Hayton, Utah also got goals from Kevin Stenlund, who capitalized on a wide-open lane during a Winnipeg line change, and Nick Bjugstad, who sealed the win with an empty-netter.

"It shows how good of a team we are when we play the right way, play our way," said Stenlund. "It was a good game."

While Utah's offense consistently generated quality scoring chances, with plenty of dekes to give the team longer offensive possessions, a more aggressive Jets team eventually would score with a Mark Scheifele power play goal to cut the lead to 3–1.

Winnipeg’s offensive push resulted in more shots on goal than Utah by the end of the game, and the Scheifele goal, but Utah’s defense held strong and wouldn't allow any more goals.

Utah consistently forced turnovers, relied on Karel Vejmelka’s 32-save performance, and came up with crucial shot blocks and steals during Winnipeg’s man advantages, stopping what could have easily been goals for the Jets.

Plus, Utah continued to play like the top-10 penalty kill team it is, allowing just one goal on four Winnipeg power plays.

The win over Winnipeg keeps Utah in the playoff race, now just seven points behind a struggling Minnesota Wild team

"They don’t want to hear anything. They just want to play, and play good," said Tourigny. "They are locked in. They’re straight on in what we have to do and play and win games. That’s it. They’re the easiest team to coach in the league right now. They’re tuned in, they’re locked in. We just need to lead a plan and they’re tuned in. They’re great."

With only five games left in the regular season, Utah will need to win out and hope for a continued collapse from Minnesota if it wants a trip to the postseason.

Utah's next game will be against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday, April 8.