{"id":551370,"date":"2026-04-12T21:15:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T21:15:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/551370\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T21:15:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T21:15:59","slug":"mammoth-ready-to-make-noise-after-clinching-playoff-berth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/551370\/","title":{"rendered":"Mammoth Ready To Make Noise After Clinching Playoff Berth"},"content":{"rendered":"

In just their second NHL season, the Utah Mammoth<\/a> have secured a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They punched their post-season ticket with a win over the Nashville Predators<\/a>, combined with the Anaheim Ducks <\/a>defeating the San Jose Sharks<\/a>. With no chance of overtaking the Dallas Stars<\/a> or Minnesota Wild<\/a>, Utah will finish in the Wild Card. If they claim the first Wild Card, the Mammoth will face the winner of the Pacific Division.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Credit Image: \u00a9 St. Paul Pioneer Press\/mct\/ZUMAPRESS.com)<\/p>\n

Right now, the Vegas Golden Knights <\/a>occupy first place. However, if Utah drops to the second Wild Card, they\u2019ll go up against the Presidents\u2019 Trophy winning Colorado Avalanche<\/a>. The Mammoth are currently in the first Wild Card position (fifth in the entire Western Conference) with 90 points, just three ahead of the Los Angeles Kings<\/a>. Utah most recently had their five-game win streak snapped on Saturday, but have won six of the last 10.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s why the Mammoth are a sleeper to keep an eye on in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

We are IN \u203c\ufe0f #TusksUp<\/a> | @Delta<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/uZYkgKPO6h<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 x \u2013 Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) April 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Mammoth Emerge as Quiet Contender After Clinching Playoff Spot<\/p>\n

Utah\u2019s quick success has taken everyone by surprise because they were supposed to be rebuilding for at least one more year. However, that may no longer be the case. Even in their first year as the Utah Hockey Club (now Mammoth), they finished with eight more wins than the previous season. That was the final year of the Coyotes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mammoth captain Clayton Keller<\/a> said this<\/a> after defeating the Predators:\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a step in the right direction,\u201d Keller said after clinching. \u201cA lot of us haven\u2019t played in the playoffs in a while and we want to taste that. You want to play against the best teams and see what it\u2019s all about.\u201d Keller recorded three assists in the win and now has 84 points.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After all the drama of relocating away from Arizona, there\u2019s no doubt that the Mammoth are ready for playoff hockey. Some players who were originally on the Coyotes haven\u2019t been in the postseason since 2020. That list ncludes Keller, Nick Schmaltz<\/a>, Lawson Crouse<\/a>, and Barrett Hayton<\/a>. It was also Arizona\u2019s last playoff appearance.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Power Play Dominance<\/p>\n

Prior to clinching, Utah\u2019s spot in the playoffs was far from guaranteed. There were many other teams fighting for the position, but the Mammoth pulled ahead. A big part of Utah\u2019s recent success has been their red-hot power play. Since the Olympic break ended, the Mammoth power play is second in the NHL at 31.4%. Utah has scored a power play goal in each of the last eight games and have 12 in that span. They also scored at least two in three of the games.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Mammoth power play is undoubtedly having its best run of the season despite being 20th in the league. That just shows how much momentum it can give a team. If Utah carries this play with the man advantage into the playoffs, they\u2019ll be tough to beat.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fresh Veggies<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no question that the Mammoth wouldn\u2019t be in this position if not for the strong play of their goaltender. Karel Vejmelka<\/a> has been Utah\u2019s backbone all year and he continues to prove himself. The 29-year-old is second for the league lead in wins with 37, Andrei Vasilevskiy<\/a> has 38. This is a new career-high for the Czech. Vejmelka\u2018s gone 7-3 in his last 10 starts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

KAREL VEJMELKA BRINGS THE DELTA CENTER TO THEIR FEET \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/4ZEVttQxfK<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Despite having a save percentage of just .898, Vejmelka\u2019s been a steady presence in goal, rarely shying away from heavy workloads and always gives his team a chance to win. His 61 starts this year are also a new career-high.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If \u201cVeggie\u201d can keep this play up, his contract that has just a $4.75 million salary cap hit could be considered one of general manager Bill Armstrong\u2019s best moves. Vejmelka will need to keep it up if Utah hopes to go on a deep playoff run.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Playoff Atmosphere in Utah<\/p>\n

Not only are the Mammoth players ready, the fans are as well. They\u2019ll get their first taste of playoff hockey in Utah in Game 3 of Round 1. When the Mammoth were established, the hockey lovers in Utah really showed support for their new team. This season, all home games have fully sold out despite a limited capacity of just 12,478 seats. The Mammoth have a 21-15-3 record at home.<\/p>\n

Tickets went on sale Friday morning after the Mammoth clinched. Meanwhile, fans lined up at the team store to purchase playoff gear. The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on April 18, so expect the Delta Center to be loud for Game 3.<\/p>\n

Main photo by: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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