Oct 19, 2025; Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, USA; Utah Mammoth heart Nick Schmaltz (8) takes a shot towards the Boston Bruins in the course of the third interval at Delta Middle. Necessary Credit score: Rob Grey-Imagn Pictures The Utah Mammoth have not misplaced at residence this season and the Colorado Avalanche are unbeaten on the street, so one thing will give when the groups meet Tuesday night time in Salt Lake Metropolis.
Utah, behind the duo of Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz, has began the season 3-0-0 at residence, the final a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins on Sunday night time. The Mammoth wrap up their four-game homestand Tuesday with a bit payback in thoughts.
Utah opened the season with a 2-1 loss on Oct. 9 at Colorado, so it is a probability to even the season collection. If Keller and Schmaltz sustain their scorching play, then the Mammoth will give the Avalanche a tough time.
The 2 have mixed for 12 factors — six apiece — within the final two wins, with Schmaltz recording his second profession hat trick within the 6-3 victory over San Jose on Friday night time. Keller assisted on all three targets.
The teammates have performed collectively for seven years and the chemistry is paying off.
“Any good participant, to seek out one other participant who thinks such as you, who will know the place you might be, will know the place you may be — it is not a matter of expertise, it is only a particular chemistry,” Utah head coach Andre Tourigny stated. “It is simply one thing you construct over time.”
Utah was mediocre at residence final season — its first since relocating from Arizona — however is off to a very good begin this season.
“I believe our group has grown rather a lot,” Keller stated. “We’re a extra mature group. We now have lots of confidence, the fellows are comfy with each other, our chemistry appears to be good. We’re nonetheless jelling as a group and making an attempt to be linked as a lot as doable and also you simply need to preserve going ahead and studying after each recreation.”
Colorado had two days off after beating Boston 4-1 on Saturday night time, its third straight victory. The Avalanche are successful regardless of not having high goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood but this season. Blackwood practiced Monday with the group, however will not be on the journey to Utah.
Scott Wedgewood has made a case for staying in internet even when Blackwood is wholesome. He has a 1.48 goals-against common by way of the primary six video games and the one loss got here in a 5-4 shootout towards Dallas. He confronted solely 14 pictures Saturday night time, however made a spectacular save on Bruins heart John Beecher within the third interval.
“Clearly, if he retains taking part in like this, he will see extra video games,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar stated. “He is been implausible. He is performed nice hockey. His worst recreation was most likely the Dallas recreation … In all the opposite video games, I really feel like he is been excellent.”
Bednar’s high line additionally has been excellent. Nathan MacKinnon (six targets, 4 assists), Martin Necas (4 targets, six assists) and Artturi Lehkonen (two targets, 5 assists) are the highest three in factors on the group, and all three contributed to Saturday’s win.
The protection has helped. The Avalanche have allowed only one purpose in every of their 5 wins and 9 non-shootout targets total — finest within the NHL.
–Discipline Stage Media
