3 Takeaways From Mammoth’s 6-0 Win Over Blackhawks

There’s probably not a better way to start the season. It was sheer domination by the Utah Mammoth on Thursday to open up their season. A big 6-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks begins their 84-game journey. 

14 different Mammoth players had a point against the Blackhawks, including the three newest Mammoth players, each producing a point. It’s now three straight home opening wins for the team as they begin their third season in franchise history. Here are some takeaways from Thursday’s game.

Dylan Guenther Goes Three-for-Three

For the third straight season, Dylan Guenther scored the first goal of the season for the Mammoth. Are you surprised? No one really is at this point.

“As long as we win the first game of the year, but I cannot say there’s much shock,” head coach André Tourigny said.

You can pencil in Guenther for the first goal for the 2027-28 season if this storyline continues. In all seriousness, it was a standard goal from the forward. On the power play, he ripped it from the top of the faceoff circle and scored. 

Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller assisted. Typical Guenther goal. 

New season, same Gunner 😎 pic.twitter.com/J5jIyXUi7y

— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) October 2, 2026

“I want to get off to a good start,” Guenther said. “It feels good to get going early and to get a win early like this; the right way is a good feeling.”

However, while Cooley and Guenther were together again like they’ve been the past three seasons, they had a new linemate. Enter Anders Lee. 

Lee brought a new element to the line. He matched the speed of the two younger players but also got a lot of puck retrievals, allowing him to move the puck up ice to Guenther and Cooley. Lee also provided physical presence, something players like Kailer Yamamoto didn’t do as well during last season.

“He had a good forecheck,” Guenther said. “I think he cross-checked that one in and broke his branch on it too, so he’s got a really good hand on him. I feel like he’s knocking pucks down everywhere, and that’s gonna help us a ton.”

This could be a line that becomes the Mammoth’s best as time goes on. While Yamamoto provided the speed and skill that was needed to get Cooley and Guenther to the next level, Lee provides the missing element of hard forechecking and physicality while also keeping pace.

Speaking of Guenther scoring, he did it twice on Thursday, with his second goal also coming on the power play. The hot takes of Guenther scoring 50 this season might not be so hot if he can continue this production. Obviously, he’s not going to score two goals every game, but with a good line around him, 50 might be achievable. 

The Newcomers Make an Impact

We touched on Lee a bit, but he did way more than be the missing element on the Guenther-Cooley line. He scored a goal of his own thanks to getting a tip on Andrew Peeke’s shot from the blueline. It was his first in a Mammoth jersey.

“Andy was really good,” Toruigny said. “He went at the net. He had a great presence. Asked the right questions. Carried himself the right way. Really liked what he brought.”

ANDERS LEE TALLIES HIS FIRST WITH THE MAMMOTH!!!

4-0, Utah. pic.twitter.com/dusyijvShX

— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) October 2, 2026

It wasn’t just Lee making an impact. Vincent Trocheck brought a much-needed impact to the power play and the penalty kill. On the penalty kill especially, the forward really impressed, clearing pucks and keeping the puck out of his zone.

Trocheck was also a beast in the faceoff dot. He finished with a 78.6% win stat in faceoffs, the second highest among centers on the team behind Jack McBain. Trocheck as well finished with his first point as a Mammoth, an assist off of Nick Schmaltz’s goal.

“Great leadership by both of them,” Keller said. “Two very smart hockey players, and they’re easy to read off of. Both of them are only going to get better, more comfortable. It’s a completely different system team. I thought they did a great job tonight, and both had great games for sure.”

Finally, Peeke. He was great on Thursday. He plays the role of a pest, always annoying the Blackhawks. He had a late hit that started a scrum, two hits, and was always stirring the pot. The defenseman also produced an assist off of Lee’s goal.

Peeke also played the role of a partner on the blueline to Dmitri Simashev in only his 29th NHL game. Simashev did record an assist in the game, and the two made up a really good pairing.

Keller knew what to expect out of Peeke. This wasn’t the first time the two were teammates.

“He played super heavy,” Keller said. “He moves the puck really well, and I played with him at the World Championship a couple of years ago. He’s just a great guy, great teammate. Does whatever it takes to win, and that’s why I think he’s going to fit in perfectly for us this year. We’re really happy with how he played tonight, for sure.”

All three of the newcomers made noticeable impacts beyond the points each of them produced. So far, it’s looking like a slam dunk offseason for general manager Bill Armstrong

Domination to Start the Season

There are so many tidbits from Thursday’s game. 14 different Mammoth players had a point, which is a franchise record. Two of those players were Simashev and Daniil But, who played in an NHL game together for the first time. It’s good to see But on the scoresheet, especially because he was only given fourth-line minutes. We’ll see if he stays there or perhaps moves up the lineup.

Smooth like BUTter 🧈

6-0, Utah. pic.twitter.com/rvBXI1A9se

— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) October 2, 2026

Karel Vejmelka got the shutout. It is the first-ever shutout by a Mammoth goalie at the Delta Center. It’s crazy it took this long, but here we are. Yes, he only faced 15 shots, but it’s a shutout nevertheless. It creates some good momentum and feelings in the locker room, especially rallying together to get that for their goaltender.

“He played well, and we played well defensively in front of him,” Guenther said. “It’s in the back of our minds in the third, so we don’t want to give them anything easy. He played solid, and our defense and PK were really good.”

The power play went two for three, which was pretty good considering that has been the main concern for the Mammoth dating back to their playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights. It was against a rebuilding Blackhawks team, so take it with a grain of salt. It’s something the team needs to continue working on heading into their road trip.

In the faceoff dot, the Mammoth won a whopping 72.2% of their faceoffs. That’s nothing to scoff at. Of course, you can’t win 70% of your faceoffs every game, but when you can get a high percentage of faceoff wins, it generally means you’re controlling the puck most of the time.

“It matters in the game,” Toruginy said. “That was huge. I think in the first period, we were pressing them. We were winning draws and sustaining pressure. I think those moments were really important. Special teams winning big draws and stuff like that helped. It was big today.”

Amidst all the chaos, Ian Cole made his return to Salt Lake City for the first time since signing with the Blackhawks this summer. He got a pretty warm reception from the Mammoth crowd.

The Mammoth welcomed back Ian Cole who up until tonight had appeared in every single Mammoth game as a member of Utah. #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/AIgqspxAfi

— Chase Beardsley (@ChaseBeardsley_) October 2, 2026

Overall, this was a great game for the Mammoth. It’s not going to be 6-0 wins from here on out. They’ll obviously face tougher teams and head on the road. However, starting the season out with a 6-0 win, and the way it was done, shows how good this team can be.

There are 83 games left. It’s a great way to kick off the season. It’s one that leaves a lot of good in the air. As always, be like a goldfish. One win down, many more needed to clinch that playoff spot. Move on and keep continuing the strong start.

“It’s a good start,” Keller said. “Obviously, it’s a start that you want to have, especially a big one like that, and now we’ve got to keep it going. Short memory, learn from the mistakes in the game tonight, and go on this road trip.”

The Mammoth will head on the road and play the Columbus Blue Jackets next. The Blue Jackets are coming off a 6-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres. The last time these two teams met was in March, when the Mammoth pulled off a thrilling 5-4 overtime winner with Cooley getting the game-winning goal.