Mammoth Clinch Top Wild Card Spot with 5-3 Victory

Utah secures playoff berth with win over Winnipeg Jets

Apr. 15, 2026 at 4:50am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action and movement of a hockey game, with fragmented shapes and planes of blue, white, and orange representing the ice, players, and equipment.The Mammoth's playoff-clinching victory showcases the team's dynamic, high-energy style of play that has captivated Salt Lake City hockey fans.Salt Lake City Today

The Utah Mammoth clinched the top wild card spot in the Western Conference of the NHL with a 5-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night at the Delta Center. Nick Schmaltz scored two goals, while Logan Cooley, JJ Peterka, and Alexander Kerfoot also found the back of the net for the Mammoth.

Why it matters

The Mammoth's win secures their spot in the NHL playoffs, avoiding a matchup with the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche in the first round. This is the team's first playoff appearance since relocating to Salt Lake City, and the city is buzzing with excitement for the postseason.

The details

The Mammoth jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on Cooley's goal in the first period. Schmaltz then scored two power-play goals in the second and third periods to extend the lead. The Jets made it interesting with two late goals, but Kerfoot's empty-netter sealed the victory for Utah.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, April 15, 2026 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
  • The Mammoth will play their regular season finale on Thursday, April 17, 2026 against the St. Louis Blues.

The players

Nick Schmaltz

A forward for the Utah Mammoth who scored two goals in the game, increasing his career-high to 33 goals on the season.

Logan Cooley

A forward for the Utah Mammoth who scored the team's first goal to give them an early 1-0 lead.

JJ Peterka

A forward for the Utah Mammoth who scored a goal in the third period to extend the team's lead.

Alexander Kerfoot

A forward for the Utah Mammoth who scored an empty-net goal to seal the 5-3 victory.

Karel Vejmelka

The goaltender for the Utah Mammoth who made 21 saves to earn the win.

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What they’re saying

“I'm really happy about the way we played. When we talk about our identity, we talk about how we want to play, and we talked about that this morning. We talked about the speed we played at, the battle we have, the net-front presence there, and the tempo we have, and I am really happy about that.”

— Andrè Tourigny, Head Coach, Utah Mammoth

“It's going to be awesome. I'm super pumped. I'm even talking to fans here, and they're also excited to to bring the playoffs here. I can't wait for it to begin.”

— JJ Peterka, Forward, Utah Mammoth

What’s next

The Mammoth will play their regular season finale on Thursday, April 17, 2026 against the St. Louis Blues at 5:30 pm at the Delta Center. They will then begin the NHL playoffs this weekend, facing either the Vegas Golden Knights or Edmonton Oilers in the first round.

The takeaway

The Mammoth's clinching of the top wild card spot in the Western Conference is a significant milestone for the franchise, which is making its first playoff appearance since relocating to Salt Lake City. The team's strong regular season performance and exciting playoff berth have energized the local fanbase, who are eager to support the Mammoth as they make a push for the Stanley Cup.