Injuries piling up as Mammoth clinch top wild card spot
Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) celebrates after scoring as the Utah Mammoth and the Winnipeg Jets play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News The Utah Mammoth have officially clinched the highly coveted first wild card spot in the Western Conference. Theyll face the winner of the Pacific Division either the Edmonton Oilers or the Vegas Golden Knights.Utah had a number of potential clinching scenarios going into Tuesday. The one that actualized was the Mammoth beating the Winnipeg Jets and the Minnesota Wild topping the Anaheim Ducks.But the players werent worried about playoff positioning as much as they were about finishing the season on a high note.I think we were just trying to play as best we could these last two games, said Nick Schmaltz, who scored two goals in the game. We had two losses in a row, so we wanted to bounce back at home and put ourselves in the best position we can.... We just dont want to be limping into the playoffs. We want to be rolling. We want everyone feeling confident and hit the ground running right from Game 1.If the Golden Knights get at least a point against the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday, theyll lock themselves in as the Mammoths first-round opponent. That result could also come from the Oilers losing in any fashion to the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.Although the Mammoth controlled the majority of the game, nothing was ever guaranteed. Their 4-1 lead soon turned into a 4-3 lead. They held on and added an empty-netter for a 5-3 final score.We made it tougher than we should have or could have, but when push came to shove and it was tight, we played solid, said head coach Andr Tourigny. We didnt give much. We were stingy. ... The guys were rock-solid.World class skill, world class puck movement. pic.twitter.com/XLBSNEXSkm x - Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) April 15, 2026Playoff-style hockeyIts often said that there are players who get you to the playoffs and others who get you through them.The likes of Schmaltz, Clayton Keller (whos now on a franchise-high nine-game point streak), Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley have been instrumental in the Mammoths success up to this point. But when the playoffs begin, theres a good chance the depth players skill sets will show through.Whether its a meaningless game or a clinching scenario, Brandon Tanev and Liam OBrien always give it everything they have and thats exactly how you have to play in the playoffs.That was especially true on Tuesday. Every time you looked up, it seemed like one of those guys was hitting someone or hounding down the puck in the corner.Tanev might count this as a down season because he has yet to score a goal after having 10 last year, but he hasnt strayed from the dog-on-a-bone playing style that got him to the NHL in the first place.They play the right way, Tourigny said of the line which includes Tanev, OBrien and Alexander Kerfoot. I often say to them, You get it out (of the defensive zone), you get it in (the offensive zone), you get it to the net and you get on the body and thats exactly what they did."Its also worth pointing out the other grinders who typify playoff competitors. Michael Carcone and Kailer Yamamoto arent big bodies, but the way they hound loose pucks, you wouldnt know it; Kerfoot, Kevin Stenlund and Lawson Crouse wont appear on the highlight reels very often, but they play smart, defensively sound hockey and can be trusted in important situations. Utah Mammoth defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) defends Winnipeg Jets center Cole Perfetti (91) as they play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor (81) slips the puck around Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) for a score as they play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Fans stand and cheer a goal is scored as the Utah Mammoth and the Winnipeg Jet play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Utah Mammoth center Alexander Kerfoot (15) passes the puck out with Winnipeg Jets center Gabriel Vilardi (13) watching as they play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Utah Mammoth center Alexander Kerfoot (15) flips the puck away from Winnipeg Jets defenseman Colin Miller (6) as they play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (55) and Utah Mammoth center Alexander Kerfoot (15) faceoff as they play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) and Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) work for control of the puck as they play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) celebrates after scoring as the Utah Mammoth and the Winnipeg Jets play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) skates into position during a game with the Winnipeg Jets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Tim Smith and his daughter Ava Smith celebrate a goal as they watch the Utah Mammoth and the Winnipeg Jets play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Fans watch as the Utah Mammoth and the Winnipeg Jets play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Bridger Orr and his dad Brian Orr give each other knuckles after a score as the Utah Mammoth and Winnipeg Jets play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) battles Winnipeg Jets center Cole Perfetti (91) for the puck as they play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Fans stand and cheer a goal is scored as the Utah Mammoth and the Winnipeg Jets play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Fans stand and cheer a goal is scored as the Utah Mammoth and the Winnipeg Jets play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Andrew Kerby, draws on the ice as he joins other fans in painting the ice after watching the Utah Mammoth defeat the Winnipeg Jets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Tusky waves a Mammoth flag after the Utah Mammoth defeated the Winnipeg Jets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Fans stand and cheer as Tusky waves a Mammoth flag after the Utah Mammoth defeated the Winnipeg Jets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Sophie Sanchez, Mykah Castillo, and Jacob Berkowitz join other fans in painting the ice after watching the Utah Mammoth defeat the Winnipeg Jets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Junior Hatch, wearing a Mammoth hat lays on the ice and poses for his mom Lindsey Hatch as she takes a photo of him as fans paint the ice after watching the Utah Mammoth play the Winnipeg Jets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Jen Chatterton, lays on the ice as she and other fans take part in painting the ice after watching the Utah Mammoth defeat the Winnipeg Jets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Fans take part in painting the ice after watching the Utah Mammoth defeat the Winnipeg Jets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Fans take part in painting the ice after watching the Utah Mammoth defeat the Winnipeg Jets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Fans take part in painting the ice after watching the Utah Mammoth defeat the Winnipeg Jets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Fans line up to take part in painting the ice after watching the Utah Mammoth defeat the Winnipeg Jets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Fans take part in painting the ice after watching the Utah Mammoth defeat the Winnipeg Jets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Fans take part in painting the ice after watching the Utah Mammoth defeat the Winnipeg Jets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) shoots the puck at Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie (1) as they play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Utah Mammoth center Alexander Kerfoot (15) skates away from Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Bryson (78) as they play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Utah Mammoth right wing JJ Peterka (77) shoots high over Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie (1) as they play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) deflects the puck as Winnipeg Jets center Gabriel Vilardi (13) fights to get at it as they play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News The injury bug strikes againWith a few exceptions, this was a relatively injury-free season for the Mammoth until the last few weeks.The latest wrist with a hospital bracelet on it is Sean Durzi, who left halfway through the game after blocking a shot with his left hand.Tourigny did not have a post-game update on Durzis status.Barrett Hayton and Jack McBain are both out on a week-to-week basis. Hayton skated in a non-contact jersey at morning skate on Tuesday, though Tourigny said afterwards that his status has not changed.Tourigny says Hayton and McBain are still week to week.#TusksUphttps://t.co/k0XPMLUGIn Brogan Houston (@houston_brogan) April 14, 2026MacKenzie Weegar and John Marino have also missed games in the last 10 days due to injuries, while Mikhail Sergachev left Sundays game for the same reason. All three defensemen played on Tuesday.This is where depth comes into play. The Mammoth have defensemen Nick DeSimone and Dmitri Simashev as well as forward Kevin Rooney on the active roster. All three have proven that theyre capable of making a difference in the NHL.In the AHL, they can also call upon players like Daniil But, Maveric Lamoureux, Maksymilian Szuber and Scott Perunovich, among others.Its not ideal for the Mammoth to get to the point where they need to call upon more than a few of those guys, but the physical nature of playoff hockey almost always causes injuries and its on the teams to be ready.Now that their playoff position is set, it will be interesting to see how many players the Mammoth will rest. Other teams most notably the Carolina Hurricanes have miraculously seen mass undisclosed injuries to nearly every key player in recent games.Karel Vejmelka did not make the trip to Calgary on Sunday, and the assumption is that it was for a similar reason.
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