A loss to the Edmonton Oilers always marks a period of struggle for the Utah Mammoth. When they lost to the Oilers last season, the Mammoth went on a major losing streak. You could say the same thing has happened this season. On Oct. 17, 2026, the Oilers came to the Delta Center and walloped Utah 6-2.
Since that loss, the Mammoth have gone 4-4-1, falling out of the top three in the Central Division. Five teams in this division are separated by four points or less. To get back into the top three, Utah must string together a few wins. Not only would it help them climb the standings, but it would also keep them from having to compete with the Pacific Division for a Wild Card spot.
So, what’s led to such inconsistency? Unreliable goaltending, lack of offense, and stars in a slump have all kept the Utah Mammoth from winning games.
A Down Year for Karel Vejmelka
Sadly, fan-favorite goalie Karel Vejmelka is facing one of the hardest battles a goalie can face: losing confidence. Vejmelka continues to take a hit as he struggles to make saves this season.
When Vejmelka took the starting job in the 2024-25 season, he amazed fans with his extraordinary saves. In fact, he earned his legendary nickname, Veggie, on Nov. 13, 2024, against the Carolina Hurricanes. That game was a great example of what Veggie can do, make 49 saves on 50 shots. With a .904save percentage in 2025, many felt confident in Utah’s goaltending. Vejmelka took that momentum into the 2025-26 season, winning 38 games. Vejmelka even stole a win against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Stanley Cup finalists, in last year’s playoffs.
This season, Vejmelka’s numbers are at a career low with an .870 save percentage. In a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Nov. 1, he showed real weakness. Vejmelka let in several soft goals. His worst effort came at the hands of Oliver Bonk, who got wide open and sniped the puck into the back of the net.
New Season, Same Story
A similar situation happened last season. Vejmelka started the season rough, averaging an .887 save percentage through November. From December to April, the goaltender woke up and averaged a .900 save percentage. Despite this, his save percentage tapered off at the end of the regular season due to exhaustion.
Utah’s previous backup goaltender, Vitek Vanecek, earned a 5-13-3 record that season. With such poor goaltending to back him up, the Mammoth needed Vejmelka to carry the team most of the season. Hopefully Vejmelka gets better as the season progresses. If Sebastian Cossa can keep improving, Utah might have two competent goaltenders going into the playoffs.
In a Funk at Five-on-Five
Vejmelka isn’t the only player experiencing a slump. Players like Nick Schmaltz and Dylan Guenther, who finished second and third in scoring for the Mammoth last season, are struggling to find consistency. Before their game against the Oilers, both players started red hot. Schmaltz accumulated 11 points in eight games, and Guenther tallied four goals and nine points. After the Oilers game, Schmaltz tallied nine points, and Guenther only managed three. The Mammoth need these two stars to contribute more offense.
At a glance, many fans might question how these stats indicate a slump for Schmaltz. He did have a three-point game against the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 5, an impressive game. However, he’s only scored two goals at five-on-five this season.
Schmaltz does most of his damage on the power play, tallying seven goals and five assists. He helps the Mammoth win games with his power-play prowess, but the Mammoth can’t rely on the man advantage. The penalty box does help the Mammoth win games, but no calls are guaranteed. They can’t expect to win games drawing calls alone.
Last season, Schmaltz scored 22 goals at five-on-five. He contributed to one of the best top lines in the NHL, outscoring opponents and playing stifling defense. If the Mammoth want to be a contender, Schmaltz needs to dig deep and find that player. He can keep being a monster on the power play, but he needs to bring back that elite five-on-five play.
Dylan Guenther Needs to Score
The league has adjusted to Guenther’s scoring prowess. During games, fans notice that he’s not so alone in either circle anymore. Once he gets the puck in his favorite spot, defenders crash his position. Coach Andre Tourigny continues to blend the lines to get Guenther out of this recent funk. He scored the first goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 3, leading the Mammoth to a 3-2 victory.
Like Vejmelka, patience will most likely solve this problem. Guenther scored 40 goals and tallied 33 assists last season. That kind of skill doesn’t just disappear. Guenther needs to evolve his game by becoming more like Alexander Ovechkin. Guenther should prioritize smooth skating and finding shooting lanes to snipe. Once he does this consistently, Guenther will have more chances from the slot.
Shoot the Puck!
Arguably the best player to wear a Mammoth jersey, Clayton Keller is the engine that runs this team. The winger isn’t in a slump, but to take his game even further and help the team win consistently, Keller needs to score more. The maestro of assists continues to distribute the puck at an elite clip, but he’s only tallied five goals so far this season, which isn’t surprising if you kept up with him last season.
Keller averaged around four goals a month last season, not counting February. Four goals a month is a formidable stat; if Keller held onto the puck more, he could have a 100-point season. He has the skill necessary to score more. Every time he puts one in the back of the net, it’s a highlight reel goal. Utah needs to score more goals each game, and Keller is their guy.
With defensemen Nate Schmidt and John Marino both hurt, older players and rookies from the Tucson Roadrunners, the Mammoth’s AHL affiliate, reinforce the defense. That means more mistakes and more scoring chances for opposing teams, putting even more pressure on Utah’s offensive big guns.
What’s Next?
Like any team, the Mammoth have got some problems to fix. Aside from Keller’s performance, their recent loss to the Ottawa Senators only magnified these issues discussed above. Vejmelka let in soft goals, defensemen made mistakes, and Guenther and Schmaltz were silenced.
If Utah wants to make the playoffs, they must correct these mistakes. The front office might look to make moves if things don’t turn around. Players could lose spots or get traded. Center Dylan Larkin, who would accept a trade to Utah, still needs a home. Right winger Nikita Kucherov has also asked for a trade. Both of these players would boost Utah’s offense.
Tourigny and his staff have pushed through hard times before. Last November made Mammoth fans question whether the team could make the playoffs. Mammoth Nation must have patience to see how this group responds to this season’s adversity. Fans must trust that General Manager Bill Armstrong isn’t afraid to make changes.
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