Here at Last Word On Hockey, we will preview and review all of the series from the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. In every series, we aim to deliver at least three articles throughout the series: a preview, a mid-series analysis, and a recap. Today, we shift our focus to the Utah Mammoth and Vegas Golden Knights. 

2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Western Conference First Round: Mammoth vs Golden Knights Series Preview

Utah Mammoth vs Vegas Golden Knights Season Series Recap

Credit Image: © Chris Kleponis/CNP via ZUMA Press Wire

The Mammoth played well in the season series against the Golden Knights, going 2-1. After dropping the first game, Utah bounced back with two straight wins and outscored Vegas 10-5. Jack Eichel was the top performer for Vegas. He recorded two goals and two assists against the Mammoth. For Utah, Logan Cooley led the way. He had four goals and an assist in one game against the Golden Knights back in November. Mammoth captain Clayton Keller also had a pair of goals in the season series. They got the better of Vegas during the regular season, but Utah should expect a different Golden Knights team in the playoffs.

The Mammoth Keys to Victory
1. Young Duo Needs to Drive Offence:

While Utah isn’t the youngest team in the league, they do have a few young players that are ready to be stars. Dylan Guenther and Cooley need to be the duo that leads the Mammoth in the playoffs. Guenther led the team in goals with 40, and third in points with 73. Both are new career highs. He’s establishing himself as a pure goal scorer. Cooley’s season was hindered by injuries, where he missed 28 games. The 21-year-old will need to utilize his speed to put the Vegas defence on their heels.

2. Stick to their Defensive System:

The Mammoth were one of the better defensive teams in the NHL this year. Ranked 10th in goals against per game, Utah will need to stick to that system versus the Golden Knights. That means standing up at the blueline, and not getting caught out of position. The addition of MacKenzie Weegar in the trade with the Calgary Flames bolstered the defence as well. By playing better defensively in their own zone, the Mammoth were able to win more games and make the playoffs.

3. Stay Out of the Penalty Box:

This may be number three, but it could be number 1.1 for Utah. With Eichel, Mitch Marner, and Pavel Dorofeyev on the top unit, Vegas has the sixth-most power play goals in the league with 58 (Statmuse). The Mammoth penalty kill finished the regular season 19th at 78%, so Utah needs to stay disciplined and keep the game at even strength.

The Golden Knights’ Keys to Victory
1. Consistent Goaltending:

The biggest question coming into the playoffs is undoubtedly the Vegas goaltending. The Golden Knights were forced to use four different goalies this season due to injuries; Carter Hart, Adin Hill, Akira Schmid, and Carl Lindbom. Each of them have a save percentage below .900, as well as a negative Goals Saved Above Average (GSAA). According to Hockey Reference. Hart has been the better goaltender of late, having won in seven consecutive starts. Vegas will likely tab him as the starter in Game 1 against the Mammoth.

2. Power Play Prowess

As previously mentioned, the Golden Knights’ power play can score in bunches.. It’s ranked sixth in the NHL at 24%. Dorofeyev is second in ppgs with 20, seven behind Wyatt Johnston. The Golden Knights need to take advantage of their opportunities on the power play. 

3. Utilize Depth to Wear Out Utah

Top to bottom, the Golden Knights have a lot of depth at forward. They have the ability to roll all four lines that can also score. The Mammoth can’t match that, so Vegas needs their bottom-six to be physical and wear Utah out.

Mammoth vs Golden Knights Series Odds and Predictions

The Mammoth come in as an underdog after clinching the first playoff birth in franchise history, but could they be a dark horse? Meanwhile, the Golden Knights won the Pacific Division title after defeating the Seattle Kraken in their regular season finale. Vegas will have home-ice advantage in this series versus Utah. The Mammoth have gone 6-4 in their last 10 games, while Vegas is 7-0-1 under new head coach John Tortorella. He replaced Bruce Cassidy after four seasons with the Golden Knights. According to the bettors, Vegas is likely to defeat Utah in the first round. They’ve been the better team of late and finished higher in the standings, albeit by only three points. The Mammoth might push the Golden Knights into a deeper series, but Vegas will ultimately win.

Prediction: Golden Knights win the series in 6 games. 

Main Photo: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

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