Mammoth Wrap Road Trip Against Rangers

THE DETAILS

WHO: Utah (19-20-3) vs New York (20-18-5)

WHEN: Jan. 5, 2026 – 5:00 p.m. MT

WHERE: Madison Square Garden

TV: Utah16, Mammoth+

RADIO: Mammoth App, NHL App, NHL.com, KSL Sports Zone (1280AM), KSL Sports App

MORNING SKATE NOTES

• Several line changes ahead of Monday's game.
  • Lawson Crouse joined the top line with Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz
  • JJ Peterka joined Barrett Hayton and Dylan Guenther on a line
  • Brandon Tanev is in for Liam O'Brien on the Stenlund line
• The Mammoth are looking to win the final game of the three-game road trip before starting a seven-game homestand

Shaking Things Up

Heading into Monday’s game, the Mammoth made several line changes. Lawson Crouse moves to the top line with Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz. Utah’s Associate Captain will bring the following to that group:

“Direct speed, net presence, physicality,” Tourigny said of Crouse. “I think it’s to have a little bit of a better mix on that line.”

Peterka brings his lethal shot and strong skill to a line with two fast, skilled players.

“Obviously a lot of speed,” Hayton said of Peterka. “Dangerous shooter. We’re playing our best when we’re playing pretty direct and able to capitalize on mistakes. I think that’s our team in general, when we’re playing assertive and aggressive and sitting on options, that’s when stuff opens up. I think that’s kind of how it’s got to start for us tonight, being simple, playing fast and kind of in your face and try to attack them there.”

Tanev returns to the lineup and will play his first game since Dec. 10. Tourigny discussed what he wants to see the forward bring.

“Physicality,” Tourigny explained. “I want him to (play) really basic hockey. Get it in, get it out, get to the net, get on the body, and be physical. Those kinds of things. He’s a veteran, he’s been around, he can bring that energy we need. But what we want is simplicity.”

Game Plan vs New York

The Mammoth are focused on bouncing back and playing their game tonight against the Rangers. Tourigny discussed how his team can improve on their last game in tonight’s game.

“One of our strengths is our pace, offensively and defensively,” Tourigny shared. “We want that direct play, being predictable and playing our game. Last game, offensively and defensively, we didn’t play a bad game, but we were not as quick, and (have) as much pace as we can have so that’s what we want to be back at."

THE PREVIEW

Tonight’s Matchup

Utah

• Utah is 19-20-3 this season and 5-5-0 over the last 10 games. The Mammoth are currently sixth in the Central Division with 41 points.
• The Mammoth fell to the New Jersey Devils, 4-1, in their most recent game.
  • Michael Carcone had Utah’s lone goal in the third period. It was his seventh this season.
  • Karel Vejmelka stopped 26 of the 30 shots he faced.
• Dylan Guenther’s 20 goals lead the Mammoth, and his 36 points are tied for the team-lead alongside Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller. Keller and Mikhail Sergachev’s 23 assists lead Utah.
• Vejmelka is 17-11-2 with a 2.72 goals against average and a .895 save percentage. Vítek Vaněček, the other half of the goaltending tandem, has a 2-9-1 record, a 2.92 goals against average, and a .879 save percentage.
• The Mammoth return home for a seven-game homestand that starts on Jan. 7 against the Ottawa Senators.

New York

• New York is 20-18-5 this season and 4-5-1 over the last 10 games. The Rangers are currently seventh in the Metropolitan Division with 45 points.
• The Rangers are fresh off a 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers in the 2026 Winter Classic.
  • Mika Zibanejad scored a hat trick in the win. He had an even-strength goal, a power play goal, and a shorthanded empty net goal. Artemi Panarin scored twice, including once on the power play.
  • Igor Shesterkin stopped 36 of the 37 shots he faced. The lone goal he allowed was on Florida’s power play.
• Artemi Panarin’s 16 goals, 28 assists, and 44 points lead the Rangers. Zibanejad’s 15 goals and 35 points are second on the team, as are Adam Fox’s 24 assists.
• Shesterkin has a 17-12-4 record with a 2.47 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. Jonathan Quick, the other half of the goaltending tandem, has a 3-6-1 record, a 2.11 goals against average, and a .924 save percentage.
• The Rangers wrap up their two-game homestand against the Buffalo Sabres on Jan. 8.

By the Numbers

• Utah’s penalty kill is one of the best in the NHL. The Mammoth have killed off 81.8% of their penalties which is eighth-best in the league.
• New York is a top faceoff team. The Rangers have won 53.8% of their faceoffs (3rd). J.T. Miller’s 59.9% win rate is fourth in the league.
• The Rangers are allowing the sixth-fewest goals against per game (2.72) while the Mammoth are allowing the 12th-fewest (2.90).

Against New York This Season

• This is the second and final game between the Mammoth and Rangers this season, and the first in New York.
• After trading goals in the first and second periods, Nick DeSimone’s third period goal secured a 3-2 win. .

Season Series

• Nov. 22: NYR vs UTA – Game Recap
• Jan. 5: UTA vs NYR

Upcoming Schedule

• Jan. 7: OTT vs UTA
• Jan. 9: STL vs UTA
• Jan. 11: CBJ vs UTA