Utah’s power play was a difference maker once again as both units scored in the win. Hayton converted on a rebound of Kailer Yamamoto’s initial shot for Utah’s first power play goal. In the second period, a between the legs pass from Logan Cooley set up Captain Clayton Keller for the team’s second man-advantage goal of the game.
“I think we’re just attacking,” Hayton said on the power play’s success. “Obviously that first unit’s been so good snapping around, they’re so dangerous, and I think they’ve done a great job kind of keeping that mindset. We just try to do the same thing, to be honest.”
With two power play goals tonight, the Mammoth now have scored multiple goals on the man-advantage in five games this year. No other team has achieved this feat yet, and Utah’s 12 power play goals this season lead the league. Utah has six different power play goal scorers, which is tied with the Minnesota Wild for the league lead (per Mammoth PR).
On the other side of special teams, Utah killed off both of its penalties and held Edmonton’s power play to two total shots.
Entering Thursday’s game, the Mammoth wanted to improve how they defend top talent like Edmonton’s Captain Connor McDavid and center Leon Draisaitl. Utah took lessons from Tuesday’s win against Toronto, and held McDavid to one assist, and Draisaitl to one goal.
“I think our all-around game,” Cooley said of what stood out in the win. “I think from the start, we talked about what we needed to do better. Especially, in the (Toronto Maple) Leafs game against some of their top players, and just overall game. I thought we did a really good job of it and something to build off of.”
“A lot of commitment,” Hayton said of the team’s defensive effort. “I thought we were urgent all over the ice. I thought we did a great job managing their speed and their pushes. Obviously they’re a great team, dangerous team, and they’re going to come in waves, but I think we did a good job sticking with it, managing it, and pretty good game.”
Although it was a significant win against a Western Conference opponent, the Mammoth are focused on the test ahead, a rematch of tonight’s game on Saturday night.
“We play them right again, they’re going to be hungry,” Cooley said. “It’s a tough league and you have to be ready quick, and you have to have a quick mindset. I’m sure they’re going to be ready and hungry, so we have to match it.”
Additional Notes from Tonight (per Mammoth PR)
- Hayton is on a five-game points streak (1G, 5A) which matches his longest streak with the Mammoth.
- Yamamoto has points in each of his three games this season (1G, 3A) and his assist tonight started his current points streak (3).
- Cooley also is on a three-game points streak (1G, 3A) after his second multi-point game this season.
- Defenseman John Marino had an assist on Hayton’s power play goal. He has three points in his last three games.
- Utah had eight skaters on the scoresheet, with three players contributing multi-point efforts.
The Mammoth will host the Oilers on Saturday night to finish a home and home series. With tonight’s win, Utah improves to 6-2-0 while Edmonton is 5-1-1.
Final Stats
Score: 4-2 UTA
Shots: UTA 24, EDM 24
Power Play: UTA 2/3, EDM 0/2
Hits: EDM 28, UTA 20
Blocked Shots: UTA 16, EDM 16
Face-Off %: EDM 58.5%, UTA 41.5%
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