The Utah Mammoth suffered a narrow 4-3 defeat at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night, a loss that highlighted both promising aspects and persistent challenges for the team. Here are three key takeaways from the game:
1. Power Play Shows Signs of Life: After struggling mightily on the power play for much of November, the Mammoth finally found some success with the man advantage. Barrett Hayton's power-play goal in the second period, assisted by Clayton Keller and Mikhail Sergachev, broke the ice for Utah and marked only their second power-play goal of the month. The goal showcased quick puck movement and effective pressure on Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes, offering a glimpse of how the Mammoth's power play should operate consistently. While the team still ranks low in power-play percentage, this performance provides a foundation to build upon.
2. Third Period Troubles & Goaltending Concerns: Despite outshooting the Canadiens 15-5 in the final frame, the Mammoth couldn't find the equalizer. After Nick Suzuki's second goal tied the game, Ivan Demidov capitalized on a turnover by Keller and scored the go-ahead goal for Montreal. The Mammoth's inability to convert their shot advantage into goals in the third period, coupled with questionable goaltending, ultimately led to their downfall. Karel Vejmelka allowed four goals on just 17 shots, resulting in a save percentage of .765. This performance raises concerns, especially considering Vejmelka's recent long-term contract extension.
3. Second Period Surge Ultimately Insufficient: Trailing 2-0 after the first period, the Mammoth responded with a dominant second period, scoring three goals in a span of 4:09. Hayton's power-play goal was followed by goals from Kailer Yamamoto, assisted by Dylan Guenther, and Michael Carcone. This offensive burst demonstrated the team's potential, with contributions from players beyond the top line. However, the Canadiens quickly responded, with Suzuki scoring a power-play goal less than a minute after Carcone's go-ahead goal. Despite outshooting Montreal 13-5 in the second period, the Mammoth couldn't maintain their lead, highlighting the need for improved consistency throughout the entire game.
Overall, the Mammoth's loss to the Canadiens revealed a team capable of offensive bursts and strong periods of play but also plagued by inconsistency and goaltending issues. Coach André Tourigny noted the team was "beat on our strength," referencing the penalty kill not being as sharp as it has been. As they embark on a six-game road trip, starting with a game against the Dallas Stars, the Mammoth will need to address these concerns to achieve more consistent results.
