SALT LAKE CITY – Currently tied for the best record in the National Hockey League amidst a scorching seven-game winning streak, there’s a lot going right for the Utah Mammoth.
While it has been a collective effort from top to bottom with tremendous performances throughout the roster, Utah’s top trio has quickly become one of the best in the league.
Featuring a deep chemistry and a versatile collection of Mammoth talent, Utah’s first line is leading the charge as an unstoppable force.
What is Utah’s top line doing so well?
Across the board, Utah’s first line of Nick Schmaltz, Barrett Hayton and Clayton Keller is currently top 10 in numerous key statistical areas.
According to moneypuck.com, the trio is top 10 in goals for (7), goals against (3), goals per 60 minutes (5.13), goals against per 60 minutes (2.2), expected goals for (4.2), expected goals against (2) and a handful of other advanced statistics.
Essentially, they’re scoring a ton and not giving up much at all.
Additionally, with two top 20 skaters, including current NHL points leader Nick Schmaltz (16), the Mammoth’s top trio is at lethal as ever.
In case you missed any… pic.twitter.com/kFXMVKhQi7
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) October 28, 2025
According to Head coach Andre Tourigny, what sets them apart is a special chemistry both on and off the ice.
Makes sense, right?
If you really like each other, you’re going to play well for one another.
“Yeah, how to describe that? That’s a tough one. I don’t know. They see each other and like each other. You know, I had that discussion this summer, talking with Kells (Clayton Keller), and we’re talking about the team, and he loves to play with Schmaltzy (Nick Schmaltz), you know. Any good player, to find another player who thinks like you, who you will know where you are, you know where you will be. It’s not a matter of talent; it’s just a special chemistry, just something you build over time,” Tourigny explained.
“We can talk about other duos in the league, where Marchy (Brad Marchand) and Bergeron (Patrice Bergeron), for a long time in Boston, because we’re just playing Boston, and they knew each other and they knew what to expect. Those kinds of things take time to build, and I think they have that.”
So, what does that chemistry look like?
If you’ve been paying close attention, the vast majority of Schmaltz’s and Keller’s 10 combined goals during the winning streak have come off a primary (6) or secondary (2) assist from the other.
Obviously, playing on the same line means they’re likely going to produce a lot together over the course of a season.
But for 60% of those goals to be primary assists to the other is wildly impressive and demonstrates just how connected they are on the ice.
These two have been unstoppable 🙌
Schmaltzy sets it up nice for Kells to tie the game, 2-2. pic.twitter.com/YhHDziYGfs
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) October 20, 2025
At this point do we make Schmaltzy our profile picture?!??! pic.twitter.com/iFnIgPTRsM
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) October 18, 2025
Watch either of the goals above and their lethal chemistry becomes blatantly obvious.
On the first, Keller senses Schmaltz behind him, dumps off the puck, goes to the net, gets lost in the buildup, switches sides, recognizes his teammate’s blazing speed coming around the point and waits for the easy tap-in.
As for the second, Hayton forces the turnover, Keller surveys, Schmaltz goes right to the open space in front after the two notice each other and then the captain sets up No. 8 to complete the hat-trick.
Poetry in motion.
“You just kind of know each other’s games pretty well.” Barett Hayton explained.
“Schmaltzy and Kells, what they’re able to do. Some of the motion and layering, stuff like that and I try to compliment them. Be around the net and make those connecting plays…I try to own the middle of the ice.”
Why do Schmaltz, Hayton, & Keller work so well together?
Alright, let’s take this a step further.
What is it about these three that works so well together?
To preface, they each fulfill their specific role on the ice.
Nobody tries to play outside of their abilities, but they thrive within their own.
“Chemistry is tough to find in this league & it takes time to really figure each other out. It always feels like we know where one another is at,” Keller explained.
Clayton Keller on his chemistry with Schmaltz: “Chemistry is tough to find in this league & it takes time to really figure each other out. It always feels like we know where one another is at.”
“I can’t not say Hayton’s name because he’s such an important piece of our line.” pic.twitter.com/rHVzc6lqhe
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) October 20, 2025
With that in mind, let’s start with Schmaltz.
Can we talk about how insane Nick Schmaltz is playing right now? 👀
🦣 16 points (T-1st)
🦣 7 goals (T-4th)
🦣 9 assists (T-7th)
🦣 +7 (T-8th among forwards)
🦣 2 game-winning goals
🦣 3 power play goals
🦣 3 power play assists
🦣 7-game point streak (14 points)
DOMINANT 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6n4h6NgwfU
— SleeperNHL (@SleeperNHL) October 27, 2025
As the current NHL leader in points, No. 8 is simply FEASTING in front of the net as the majority of his scoring chances and goals have come from the low slot.
What does this guy eat for breakfast?!? UNBELIEVABLE!
🚨 Schmaltzy ties it up! pic.twitter.com/caC9MqUrGu
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) October 22, 2025
Notably, before their current road trip, Schmaltz actually led the league in inner slot scoring chances (13) and is currently fourth in high-danger shots on goal (17) while leading the league in high-danger goals (5).
He also excels at reloads, stripping pucks and as demonstrated by his nine assists (ranked eighth in the league), he can also consistently find his teammates in dangerous areas.
Now for the Captain.
🦣 Hitting the 200 NHL career goal milestone against his hometown team and becoming the first player in @utahmammoth franchise history to record 100 points were part of an unforgettable stretch for Clayton Keller as our NHLPA Player of the Week. pic.twitter.com/46c86EZDE3
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) October 24, 2025
If you watch Keller closely, his game is all about possession, making plays, facilitating and running the offense.
It’s almost like he has this innate ability to slow things down while also playing remarkably fast.
Taking just enough time to survey the right option while still whipping the puck at a high-speed to generate a scoring chance.
🚨 Schmaltz steps up big time and makes it 6-4, Utah! pic.twitter.com/cflEJpeMXD
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) October 24, 2025
It also helps that he’s incredibly competitive which is primarily why he wears the “C” on his chest.
As for Hayton, he’s easily the unsung hero of that line.
While his efforts don’t always immediately translate to the scoring sheet, he does all the little things right to open up space for Keller and Schmaltz.
“I can’t not say Hayton’s name,” Keller said.
“He’s such an important piece of our line and does all the little things right that the average fan would have no idea.”
How important is he?
Well, he wins the majority of his faceoffs (53.9%), battles in the dirty areas, creates turnovers, crowds the crease and occasionally puts points on the board.
Additionally, and perhaps the most notable, the team’s expected goals rate is 0.53 better per 60 minutes with him on the ice (sixth best in the NHL).
That’s incredible.
“He’s exactly what the doctor ordered for that line,” Tourigny said of Hayton.
“He drives at the net really hard, he has a net presence, he’s really good on the forecheck, really good on the draws, really good on D-zone situations, has a great awareness, his reload is great…he’s what completes the line.”
If it wasn’t already obvious, Utah’s top line is playing unreal hockey right now.
They’re not only scoring goals, but they’re contributing defensively, winning battles, dominating play and have led the fierce Mammoth charge as Utah has set the hockey world on fire.
What’s next for the Utah Mammoth?
The Utah Mammoth will conclude their four-game road trip against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. MT
The game will be available on Mammoth+.
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
Take us with you, wherever you go.
