Utah Wraps Back-to-Back against New York Rangers

THE DETAILS

WHO: Utah (2-0-0) vs New York Rangers (2-1-0)

WHEN: Oct. 4, 2026 – 4:00 p.m. MT

WHERE: Madison Square Garden

TV: Utah16, Mammoth+

RADIO: Mammoth App, NHL App, NHL.com, KSL Sports Zone (97.5FM), KSL Sports App

MORNING SKATE NOTES

• Check back after 11 a.m. MT for updates from head coach André Tourigny

THE PREVIEW

Tonight’s Matchup

Utah

• Utah enters Sunday’s game with momentum after the Mammoth won their first two games of the 2026-27 season against the Chicago Blackhawks (6-0) and Columbus Blue Jackets (4-1).

• Utah’s game against New York will be center Vincent Trocheck’s first time back at Madison Square Garden since he was traded to the Mammoth on July 1. The Mammoth will also face former defenseman Sean Durzi for the first time. He was a part of the return for Trocheck this summer.

• Sunday is the second half of Utah’s first back-to-back this season. The Mammoth beat the Columbus Blue Jackets, 4-1, in the first half. There were multiple milestones in the win, and the Mammoth recorded their first regulation win in franchise history against the Blue Jackets.

• Dylan Guenther and Nick Schmaltz are tied for the team-lead with three goals each. Guenther’s five points are a team-high. Captain Clayton Keller’s four assists are the most on the Mammoth.

• Goaltender Sebastian Cossa got his first NHL start during his Mammoth debut on Saturday. He had a strong performance and picked up his second career win. It’s likely Utah will turn to Karel Vejmelka for Sunday’s game. Vejmelka recorded a 15 save shutout in the Mammoth’s season opener on Thursday.

• Sunday is the second game of a five-game road trip for Utah. After facing the Rangers, the Mammoth will play the New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, and Buffalo Sabres before returning home.

New York 

• After losing their season opener, the Rangers rebounded with two-straight wins during New York’s first back-to-back this season. On Thursday, New York beat the Tampa Bay Lightning, 5-1. The next night, the Rangers shutout the Detroit Red Wings, 2-0.

• Eeli Tolvanen’s two goals lead the Rangers, while Adam Fox’s three assists and three points lead the team in both categories.

• Igor Shesterkin has played two of New York’s three games this season. He has a 1-1-0 record, a 1.51 goals-against average, and a .935 save percentage. Dylan Garand has played one game this year, which was New York’s win over Detroit. He has a 0.00 goals-against average and a 1.000 save percentage.

• Sunday is the first of two-straight at home. After hosting the Mammoth on Sunday, New York will host their rival, the New York Islanders, on Tuesday.

By the Numbers

• Utah captain Clayton Keller and center Nick Schmaltz both hit career points milestones on the same night. On Saturday, against the Blue Jackets, Keller recorded his 600^th career NHL point, while Schmaltz hit the 500 career NHL points mark.

• After going 5-for-7 in their first two games, the Mammoth’s power play is the top-ranked power play in the NHL (71.4%). Utah’s penalty kill has a 100% kill rate in the first two games, and has killed off all five of the team’s penalties.

• New York also has a perfect penalty kill entering Sunday’s game. The Rangers have killed off all 10 of their penalties over their first three contests.

• Sean Durzi is the first defenseman to score a goal for New York this season. Through his first three games with the Rangers, Durzi is averaging 21:09 minutes of playing time, which is third-highest on his team.

Upcoming Mammoth Milestones

• Mikhail Sergachev: 300 career NHL assists, 2 away

• Nick DeSimone: 100 career NHL games, 2 away

• Bill Armstrong: 200 career wins, 4 away

Against New York This Season 

• This is the first of two games between Utah and New York this season. It’s the only game at Madison Square Garden during the 2026-27 campaign.

Season Series

• Oct. 4: UTA vs NYR

• Mar. 9: NYR vs UTA

Upcoming Schedule

• Oct. 6: UTA vs NJD

• Oct. 8: UTA vs BOS

• Oct. 10: UTA vs BUF