Keller, Schmaltz propel Mammoth to win against Red Wings

SALT LAKE CITY -- Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz each had a goal and an assist for the Utah Mammoth in a 4-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings at Delta Center on Wednesday.

Dylan Guenther and Sean Durzi also scored for the Mammoth (30-23-4), who have won two in a row and are 8-1-1 in their past 10 home games.

“Solid game by our special teams, our goalie was rock solid, it was a huge win for us,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny said. “I think everybody contributed. I think our fourth line was key today in the third period … Every time they were on the ice, they got on the forecheck, got the puck deep. I think they gave us some energy, so that was really good.”

Karel Vejmelka made 29 saves and picked up his League-leading 27th win of the season, which is a new career high for the Czech goaltender.

“I wanted to get a win tonight because it's a huge moment for everybody, for the whole room here,” Vejmelka said. “I think we played really well, we deserved to win.”

Dylan Larkin scored, and John Gibson made 21 saves for the Red Wings (33-19-6), who have lost four of five (1-3-1).

“We had a disappointing start,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “I thought we created enough opportunities to get ourselves back in the game. We couldn't beat a real hot goaltender, and that was probably the difference.”

Durzi gave Utah a 1-0 lead 57 seconds into the first period, picking up a loose puck on the end boards and beating Gibson blocker side.

Schmaltz scored on a 5-on-3 power play to extend it to 2-0 at 8:11, beating Gibson glove side with a wrist shot.

Guenther pushed it to 3-0 at 4:40 of the third period, slotting the puck between the legs of Gibson.

“We played well from the start. PK was really good, [Vejmelka] obviously really good, but just the team effort,” Guenther said. “I think it's big. Everybody knows that [the standings are] really tight… it's going to be close, and every point matters.”

Larkin scored during a 6-on-4 advantage at 15:52 to cut it to 3-1. With Gibson pulled for the extra skater on the power play, Larkin found a loose puck at the top of the crease following a shot from Moritz Seider and fired it past Vejmelka.

“You look at the goals they got and ultimately that's the difference,” Larkin said. “Their goalie played really well and seems to play well against us. We just didn't really get the puck past them at crucial times and had looks on power play, we're just missing that finishing touch around the net.”

Keller then scored an empty-net goal at 17:42 for the 4-1 final.

“I think you can take advantage of this time,” said Guenther of the upcoming Olympic break. “We played well coming back last year [from the 4 Nations Face-Off break], but not good enough. St. Louis was hot, and I think a lot of teams are going to come out flying. So just make sure that we're ready to go in the first game.”

NOTES: Vejmelka, who will represent Team Czechia at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, recorded his 26th start of the season with a save percentage of .900 or greater, surpassing Jeremy Swayman for most in the NHL. … The Mammoth improved to 12-4-1 since the calendar flipped to 2026. The only teams with as many wins over that span are the Lightning (13-1-1) and Blue Jackets (12-4-1).