Utah Mammoth fans waited with bated breath, and finally, it happened: JJ Peterka scored his first goal wearing the Mammoth jersey! But here's the kicker: despite that electrifying moment, the team fell to the Chicago Blackhawks in a 3-1 defeat. Was Peterka's goal a sign of things to come, or just a fleeting bright spot in a game riddled with missed opportunities? Let's dive in.
Peterka's goal, a highlight in an otherwise lackluster offensive performance, came early in the third period. Under intense pressure from two Blackhawks along the boards, Peterka masterfully passed the puck to Guenther, who found himself with a sudden opening behind the net. The Blackhawks, scrambling to cover Guenther, made what turned out to be a costly error. They collapsed towards the center, leaving Peterka wide open. Guenther seized the opportunity and passed it to Peterka, who buried it. It was a play that showcased Peterka's growing chemistry with his teammates.
"Just pressure, I think that was the key [to that goal]," Peterka explained. "To get chances of the forecheck and kind of sit on them and that's also how the goal went in. Just forechecking and getting bodies to the net." He emphasized the importance of a relentless forecheck in creating scoring chances.
It’s worth noting that Guenther's pass might have been initially intended for Logan Cooley, who was charging towards the net. Regardless, the play demonstrated an encouraging level of teamwork and offensive awareness. But here's where it gets controversial... is relying on lucky bounces and misdirection a sustainable offensive strategy? Or does Utah need a more systematic approach to generating scoring opportunities?
But still, Utah has to generate more offense. One goal will hardly get you wins in this league.
Utah's Power Play Needs a Serious Overhaul
Allowing Andre Burakovsky to take wide-open shots on a Chicago power play is never a recipe for success. What made it even more frustrating was the simplicity of the mistake: Guenther was simply too aggressive in his puck pursuit, creating the opening. However, it's important to remember that Guenther is still adjusting to his role on the penalty kill. These growing pains are expected, and the team has actually been quite strong on the penalty kill overall, successfully killing 10 of 12 power plays this season.
And this is the part most people miss... The real problem lies in Utah's own power play. Converting on only 1 of 10 opportunities is simply unacceptable. When the penalty kill falters, the lack of power-play success amplifies the impact of those mistakes.
Utah generated plenty of shots during its three power plays, and credit is due to Chicago for their penalty-killing efforts. However, Utah failed to effectively force Chicago out of position. As head coach André Tourigny pointed out, "In the NHL, you need to score greasy goals. It’s not just a goal when you have time and space... We need to score those greasy goals if we want to have a chance to separate ourselves." He's talking about those hard-fought goals scored in the trenches, the ones that come from relentless effort and a willingness to battle in front of the net.
The shots may have been there, but Chicago was fully prepared for Utah's offensive schemes. If Utah can't devise new strategies to create space on the power play, or find ways to score those "greasy goals," the sheer number of shots won't matter. They need to find ways to disrupt the defense and create chaos in front of the net. Do you think Utah's coaching staff needs to make drastic changes to the power-play unit, or is it just a matter of time before they start clicking?
Simashev's Rookie Season is Off to a Promising Start
Peterka wasn't the only newcomer making a positive impact. Simashev was arguably one of Utah's best players in this game. With Sean Durzi sidelined due to an upper-body injury sustained in Utah's 3-2 victory over Nashville, Simashev stepped up and embraced the challenge. He seemed unfazed by the increased responsibility.
Aside from an early penalty while defending against Chicago's Colton Dach, Simashev consistently made the right plays. He was always in the correct position, dislodging pucks for his teammates and proving to be a disruptive force that even Connor Bedard struggled to overcome. He was also active on offense, registering three shots on goal. His strong performance led Tourigny to pair him with Mikhail Sergachev late in the game, a testament to his growing confidence and effectiveness. He started the game paired with Ian Cole.
Simashev's ability to elevate his game in Durzi's absence is a positive sign for Utah's depth and future. If he can maintain this level of play consistently, he'll be a valuable asset to the team. Could Simashev even be a dark horse candidate for the All-Rookie Team at the end of the season? It's certainly not out of the realm of possibility.
Hayton Makes His Season Debut
While Durzi's injury was a setback, Utah received a boost with the return of Hayton to the lineup against Chicago.
"It was great to get back out there," Hayton said. "It’s what I love to do, being out there competing with the guys." His enthusiasm was palpable.
Although Hayton's return didn't immediately translate into statistical success, his presence on the ice clearly benefited the team. Reinstated on the first line, Hayton consistently tried to drive the puck to the net, a hallmark of his playing style. While he didn't find the back of the net in his first game back, his offensive mindset is precisely what Utah needs to cultivate in future games.
Hayton's net-front presence could also be the key to unlocking Utah's struggling power play. But for him to be truly effective, he needs to create his own opportunities. Expect Hayton's aggressiveness to increase in the coming games, starting with Utah's home opener against Calgary on October 15th. Will Hayton's return be enough to ignite Utah's offense and turn their power play around? Only time will tell, but his presence is definitely a step in the right direction.
