In 2025-26 season, Nick Schmaltz started the season extremely hot, leading the NHL in goals at one point.
Schmaltz is beginning the season in the same way in 2026-27, as he scored his fifth goal of the season already. Utah earned it's first ever win against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night thanks to Schmaltz and Co.
Utah defeats New Jersey to get back into the win column
Utah quickly got things going with another power play goal, the first goal of the 2026-27 season for Clayton Keller.
The Mammoth lead didn't last too long however as the Devils responded in the first period thanks to Luke Evangelista.
In the second period however, MacKenzie Weegar scored his first goal of the season to push Utah back into the lead. Another goal from Evangelista made it 2-2, but that didn't last long thanks to Schmaltz's league leading fifth goal which came on a power play.
A little later in the period, Lawson Crouse scored his first goal of 26-27 as the Mammoth took a 4-2 lead into the second intermission. Unfortunately, Mikhail Sergachev went off into the tunnel after getting hit with a puck. Sergachev had already totalled an impressive three assists prior to his injury.
In the third period, Jesper Boqvist made thing 4-3 as the Devils tried to rally late. However, Vincent Trocheck added his first goal as a Mammoth late in the period to essentially put things away.
Utah ended up winning the match 5-3. As it stands now, Utah leads the league in power play percentage, scoring eight goals on 13 opportunities. Clayton Keller and Schmaltz are tied for the lead in points on the team, as both have totalled seven points thus far.
Next, Utah faces the 2-2-0 Boston Bruins on the road on Thursday. Utah has just two more road games before their five game road trip ends.
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