TEAM EDITORIAL

The Utah Mammoth have opened the 2026-27 NHL season with striking authority, winning their first two games by a combined 10-1. After dispatching Chicago on opening night, Utah followed with a convincing 4-1 victory over Columbus, a result that ended the clubs’ run of four consecutive overtime meetings and established the Mammoth as one of the league’s early surprises. Nick Schmaltz scored twice in Columbus, while Mikhail Sergachev and Dylan Guenther also found the net, and Sebastian Cossa stopped 17 shots in an efficient debut performance.

The early success reflects a balanced team rather than a single dominant storyline. Utah has paired timely scoring from Schmaltz and Guenther with structure throughout the lineup, while the blue line features established presence from Mikhail Sergachev, MacKenzie Weegar, John Marino and Nate Schmidt. Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller add further creative potential up front, and the team’s depth gives the coaching staff multiple options as the season develops.

The start has not been entirely uncomplicated. Maveric Lamoureux is expected to miss four to six months after shoulder surgery, removing a young defenseman from the equation for a significant portion of the campaign. Still, Utah enters its only upcoming game, October 4 at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers, at 2-0. New York is also 2-0, setting up the Mammoth’s first substantial test against an undefeated opponent.