MORNING SKATE NOTES
- Head coach André Tourigny said there are several game time decisions
- The Mammoth return home for three-straight games before the Olympic break
Playing with Pace
A trademark to the Mammoth’s strong play this season is their pace. When Utah is using their speed and pushing the pace of the game, they’re able to take over. The Mammoth’s pace is a key part of their identity. However, to do so, the team must be connected. That connection is not only with all five guys on the ice, but every player on the team.
“Just working together, being connected, working for each other,” center Barrett Hayton said. “Mindset wise, you can want to play that way and stuff but it’s being connected that you make that a reality. Obviously it’s the puck carrier’s job, but it’s also guys away from the puck, putting it in good places where you can keep that speed. If you get caught, you’re not connected, you get closed off and other guys have to slow down and stuff like that, you lose speed on the forecheck … I think (playing connected) is a thing we’ve been doing really well, working for each other, quick outlets, and putting pucks into good space.”
In addition to staying connected, it’s a mindset every player has to buy into.
“You need mental toughness,” Tourigny explained. “It’s not as easy as it looks sustaining that high level of focus, high level of intensity mentally.”
Facing the Stars
It should be a tight Central Division matchup tonight as the first two games in the season series have been decided by one goal. One area the Mammoth will focus on is defending down low as the Stars have the sixth-most high danger chances in the NHL.
"Their puck protection is really good,” Tourigny said. “Everything is tight and in front of the net, that's what they're really special at. So our box-out and our net-front battles will be at a premium."
