The Delta Center is quickly transforming into a difficult place to play for visitors as the Utah Hockey Club won their third straight game on Thursday, defeating the Minnesota Wild 6-1. With the win, Utah gets closer to the second wild card spot in the Western Conference, now only two points away from the Vancouver Canucks. Here are some takeaways from Thursday’s win.
Sean Durzi Scores His First Utah Goal
Utah broadcaster Dominic Moore said it best. There haven’t been that many players who have returned midseason after sustaining a massive injury and played as well as Sean Durzi has. In just four games back, he has reminded everyone why he’s one of Utah’s best defensemen through his great two-way play.
The obvious part of that in Thursday’s game was Durzi scoring his first goal of the season, and with Utah. It was at a great time as well because it was around the point where Utah was playing their worst hockey of the game. Freddy Gaudreau had just scored by getting behind the team’s defense. However, just a minute and some spare change later, Durzi launched a shot from the faceoff circle that managed to get past Marc-André Fleury and into the back of the net.
The goal, as mentioned, was Durzi’s first with Utah. It was also his fourth point of the season. However, the goal was even more special for Durzi as he had promised his grandparents one. While it came a game late, it was still special for the defenseman to get one for some of his biggest supporters.
“It was special,” Durzi said. “I got my grandparents – hopefully they’re still up at home. I told them I’d get them one last game, and I didn’t, so hopefully, they’re watching. I got them one tonight.”
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Durzi once again played top-four minutes for Utah. His time on ice was 18:48, which was fourth among all defensemen. While it’s a couple of minutes short of the insane ice time he put up against the LA Kings, it’s still an impressive amount of time Durzi is playing despite only being back for four games. It shows how important he is not just offensively but defensively too, as he made some great defensive plays.
It’s not just his on-ice talent that Utah loves having back. It’s his personality and presence in the locker room that his teammates have missed. The leadership he brings is irreplaceable as well, a reminder that Durzi played with players like Drew Doughty and Anže Kopitar during his time with the Kings. Players who know what it takes to win. Durzi is the overall package, and having him back is Utah’s version of winning the trade deadline.
“He’s an awesome teammate,” Clayton Keller said. “Everyone in this room loves him. It’s so great to have him back.”
The fully healthy Utah blue line has led them to three straight wins while only allowing one goal in each of those games. It makes you wonder what would’ve happened if Durzi and John Marino had been healthy to begin the season.
An Electric Night for the Captain
Before Thursday, no Utah player or Keller had ever scored five points in a single game. Both of those facts quickly became irrelevant after Thursday’s game. There was no stopping Utah’s captain as he set up play after play to end up scoring five points against the Wild.
Keller got the primary assist on the first two goals that were scored on the power play. Utah’s power play was exceptional, going two for four on the man advantage against the Wild. He later got the secondary assist off of Nick Schmaltz’s goal. Keller scored his only goal of the game off a backhand shot in front of the net and then finished his night by throwing a shot to the net that Logan Cooley tipped in.
While everyone is looking at Keller’s offensive performance, his defensive play was also impressive. The two factors combined in head coach André Tourigny being decently impressed by his captain’s night.
“Pretty damn good,” Tourigny said. “He played a responsible game, didn’t take risks, he was engaged defensively. Had a solid two-way game. Obviously five points. Not bad.”
It’s another record that Keller has secured for himself. His ability to step up in big games continues to show, which is exactly why he was named captain in the franchise’s first year in the NHL. Scoring five points against the Wild in such a critical game isn’t a fluke. It’s just part of Keller’s game.
Utah Has Their Swagger On
Three straight wins. All at Delta Center. Not too shabby at all for the team that struggled tremendously at home in the first half of the season. However, Delta Center has become a strength for Utah as they continue to improve their home record.
On top of that, the past three wins have been instrumental in helping Utah now get within two points of the Canucks who hold the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. Despite at times in the season looking like they wouldn’t be anywhere near a playoff spot come spring, here is Utah entering March just a couple of points out.
While the team has strung together a mini win streak, it doesn’t get easier. Most of Utah’s final 22 games are against playoff teams. That includes the Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Edmonton Oilers, and the Florida Panthers. They’ll also play some crucial games against the Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues, who are teams right alongside them trying to get into that second wild card spot.
Every game from here on out is a must-win. There can’t be any off days. However, unlike some teams like the Canucks, Utah is on a high. They are playing their best hockey when it matters. As Keller puts it, their swagger is great right now.
“Every game for the rest of the year is huge for us,” Keller said. “We’re fighting for that playoff spot. I like our swagger right now. We’re gonna keep it going.”
Utah’s swagger right now is certainly an advantage. It feels like the entire team is on the same page and is all connected, which is something that has not been a common trait all season long. Maybe it’s because for the first time, Utah is fully healthy. Whatever it is, the connection between everyone speaks volumes, especially if you look over February. The team went 6-3-0, including a 3-1-0 run since the end of the 4-Nations break.
“It’s a relentless brotherhood,” Durzi said. “We feel like a big family in here. We know that this is such an important time of the year. Every win, we get closer and closer – the fans included.”
Now comes a tough March. However, if Utah can keep playing the same way they’ve been playing, they’ll be fine. Even if the end result isn’t playoffs, the fact we’re talking about them being even close at the start of March is an improvement from last season where around this time, the Arizona Coyotes were pretty much eliminated from playoff contention. As Tourigny would say, the baby is growing. With every win going into the spring, it matures more as Utah barrels into their final full month of play during their inaugural season.
Utah will play their first game in March on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. The Devils are 32-22-6 this season and are coming off of a 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. These two teams met back in October where Utah lost 3-0.
