Utah Mammoth Clinch First Playoff Berth in Franchise History

Mammoth defeat Nashville Predators 4-1 to secure postseason spot

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:48am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting depicting a Utah Mammoth hockey game, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant shades of blue, red, and gold, conveying the energy and excitement of the team's historic playoff qualification.The Utah Mammoth's first-ever playoff berth is a triumph of teamwork and perseverance, captured in a cubist-inspired illustration.Salt Lake City Today

The Utah Mammoth have officially clinched their first playoff berth in franchise history after defeating the Nashville Predators 4-1 on Thursday. The Mammoth's win, combined with the Anaheim Ducks' victory over the San Jose Sharks, secured Utah's spot in the NHL's Western Conference playoffs.

Why it matters

This is a historic moment for the Mammoth franchise and their passionate fan base in Utah. After years of building towards this goal, the team has finally broken through and will get to experience the excitement of the NHL playoffs for the first time. It's a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players, coaches, and organization.

The details

The Mammoth were led by another strong performance from star forward Clayton Keller, who recorded three points in the game. Utah's offense was firing on all cylinders, with contributions from multiple lines. The team's depth and balanced attack have been key factors in their success this season.

  • The Mammoth clinched their playoff berth on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
  • The Anaheim Ducks' win over the San Jose Sharks on the same night sealed the deal for Utah.

The players

Clayton Keller

The Mammoth's captain and leading scorer, who has been a driving force behind the team's playoff push.

André Tourigny

The Mammoth's head coach, who has guided the team to their first-ever postseason appearance in his second season with the organization.

Lawson Crouse

The Mammoth's associate captain, who scored his 22nd goal of the season in the clinching victory over the Predators.

Nick Schmaltz

A key forward for the Mammoth, who has been on a six-game point streak alongside several of his teammates.

Juuse Saros

The Predators' goaltender, who faced a barrage of shots from the Mammoth's high-powered offense.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's exciting. It's great for the fans and everyone.”

— Clayton Keller, Mammoth captain

“You want to play in the postseason. You want to play against the best teams and see what it's all about.”

— Clayton Keller, Mammoth captain

“As a team, we're connected. We're just going by waves. ... There's no stopping the wheel.”

— André Tourigny, Mammoth head coach

What’s next

The Mammoth will continue to jockey for position in the Western Conference standings, as their first-round opponent is still to be determined. They will look to build momentum heading into the playoffs and make a deep run in their first-ever postseason appearance.

The takeaway

The Utah Mammoth's historic playoff berth is a testament to the team's hard work, depth, and balanced attack. After years of building towards this moment, the Mammoth and their passionate fan base can now look forward to the excitement and challenge of the NHL playoffs for the first time.