With the 2026-27 NHL schedule released for all teams, there is one stretch that will be very critical for the Utah Mammoth. This stretch could determine whether Utah makes the playoffs next season. It is probably widely known that the Central Division will be a very hard-fought division next season. With a long list of juggernauts, the Central Division is bound to be one of the best and biggest divisions next season, which is why Utah needs to take advantage of certain stretches of its schedule.
Mammoth will face 13 straight Western Conference opponents to finish season
The Mammoth after this offseason are definitely going to be seen as a wild card team- and maybe even a hopeful competitor in the Central Division. However, even then, given the Western Conference's elite status, the Mammoth aren't guaranteed to make the postseason. At the very least, it should be noted that the Mammoth almost took down the Vegas Golden Knights in the playoffs, who made the Stanley Cup Finals, and the Mammoth have gotten better since then. The biggest and most important stretch of the season for Utah will actually be the final 13 games of 2026-27.
The Mammoth will play 13 straight Western Conference opponents, possibly solidifying a wild-card position or even winning a division. Many teams during this time period will begin their last playoff push, which can be quite powerful at times. Interestingly enough, Utah will also take on eight Central Division opponents in that 13-game stretch, including three games against the Dallas Stars.
The Central Division has the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, Stars, Mammoth, and even the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues. The division will be very hard to win, especially for the Mammoth, given how good the Stars and Avs are coming into next season. However, being a competitor for the division is impossible, and this stretch at the end of the season will be critical for Utah.
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