The Utah Mammoth Are No Longer Just a Feel-Good Story - They’re a Real Problem for the Central Division
There’s a phrase coaches love to throw around: killer instinct. That ability to not just get a lead, but to bury an opponent when they’re vulnerable.
The best teams don’t just win - they finish. That’s the kind of edge the Utah Mammoth are still learning to sharpen, but make no mistake: this team is no longer just a fun expansion story.
They’re a legitimate threat.
Let’s set the scene. Two-thirds into their inaugural season in Salt Lake City, the Mammoth are holding their own - and then some.
While they sit 11 points behind the Stars in the Central Division, a quick glance across the conference shows just how competitive they’ve been. If they were in the Pacific?
They’d be just four points back of both Edmonton and Vegas for the division lead.
This isn’t a fluke. It’s a team that’s finding its identity - and fast.
They’ve already shown they can hang with the top dogs. Last time they faced Dallas, it was Karel Vejmelka who stole the spotlight.
The netminder turned away 26 of 27 shots in a gritty 2-1 win, part of a scorching 9-1-1 stretch that had the rest of the league taking notice.
But the Mammoth have cooled off slightly, dropping two of their last three. And for Dallas, that could be a window of opportunity.
Utah is returning home after a four-game Southeast road swing - and teams often don’t snap right back into rhythm after travel like that. That’s something the Stars will be looking to exploit.
Key Matchups to Watch
1. Keep Clayton Keller in Check
Clayton Keller is still the engine that makes the Mammoth go. The captain has 50 points in 54 games and was named to Team USA’s Olympic roster for a reason - he’s one of the most dynamic forwards in the league.
But lately, he’s hit a rare cold patch. No goals in three straight, and just three shots combined in that span.
For Dallas, that’s a blueprint. Keep Keller quiet, and you cut off a major artery in Utah’s attack. The Stars have the defensive structure to frustrate elite scorers, and if they can keep him bottled up again - like they did in their last meeting - they’ll put themselves in a strong position to grab two points on the road.
2. Test Vejmelka Early and Often
Karel Vejmelka probably isn’t the first name that comes to mind when you think of league leaders, but here we are: 25 wins, more than any other goalie in the NHL. That’s not just about talent - it’s about workload. Vejmelka has started 41 games, tied for most in the league, and if he’s between the pipes again Saturday, it’ll be his 13th start in the last 15 games.
His numbers are solid, not spectacular - a .900 save percentage and a 2.62 goals-against average - but the sheer volume he’s facing is noteworthy. The Stars don’t need to be fancy here.
Pucks on net, traffic in front, force him to work. With that kind of mileage, even the best goalies wear down.
3. Utah’s Depth Lines Are Doing the Heavy Lifting
Here’s where things get interesting. Despite owning the league’s worst power play, the Mammoth are still right in the thick of the playoff race.
How? Look no further than their bottom-six forwards.
The third line of Michael Carcone, Jack McBain, and Kailer Yamamoto has been a revelation. Carcone has been one of the best value pickups of the offseason - a relentless forechecker who ranks just behind Dallas’ own Wyatt Johnston in relative expected goals percentage. Yamamoto brings speed and two-way play, while McBain adds a physical edge, ranking fourth among forwards in hits and winning over half his faceoffs.
This isn’t just a line that eats minutes. It’s a line that tilts the ice. And when your top six hits a lull - like Keller’s current dry spell - having this kind of depth makes all the difference.
What’s at Stake for Dallas
This isn’t a must-win for the Stars, but it’s a game that matters. Minnesota sits just a point ahead in the standings, and with the Olympic break looming, Dallas would love to head into the pause on a high note after a January that’s been, frankly, a bit uneven.
They’ve already shown they can beat elite teams. Now it’s about consistency - and proving they can take care of business against a surging expansion team that’s no longer playing like one.
The Mammoth may be new, but they’re no novelty. And the Stars know they’ll need more than just a strong start - they’ll need that killer instinct to leave Salt Lake City with two points.