The Utah Mammoth are poised to face the Dallas Stars in an upcoming NHL clash, looking to prolong their impressive five-game point streak. This encounter holds significant weight as the Mammoth seek to narrow the standings gap against their Central Division adversaries. Despite the Stars maintaining a considerable lead, their recent form has been less than stellar, presenting a prime opportunity for Utah to gain ground.
The Utah Mammoth have been on a strong run, boasting a 4-0-1 record in their most recent five outings. This momentum was clearly demonstrated in their decisive 6-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team that had entered the game with an eight-game winning streak and a ten-game point streak. The Mammoth's dominant performance, outshooting the Leafs 40-20, underscored their offensive prowess and defensive solidity.
Currently, the Mammoth are in the midst of a seven-game homestand, having secured a 3-0-1 record in the first four matches. This extended period at home follows a demanding start to the season where 26 of their initial 43 games were played on the road. Forward Dylan Guenther emphasized the team's anticipation for this home stretch and their readiness to compete against a formidable opponent like Dallas.
Conversely, the Dallas Stars have experienced a dip in form, recording a 2-4-4 record in their last ten games. Despite their strong road performance throughout the season, with 36 points collected away from home, their current six-game road trip has yielded a 2-2-1 record. Their recent 3-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, a team previously on a nine-game winless streak, highlighted potential fatigue from their demanding schedule.
Stars coach Glen Gulutzan acknowledged the league's increasing competitiveness and the necessity for his team to maintain focus and intensity, especially against determined opponents. He emphasized the challenge of consistently earning points in a league characterized by significant parity. Additionally, the Stars may be without defenseman Miro Heiskanen, who missed the previous game due to personal reasons and remains questionable for the upcoming match.
In terms of goaltending, Jake Oettinger is projected to start for the Stars, despite a recent struggle with a 4.08 goals against average in his last four appearances. However, he showed strong form in a prior game against the Kings. Karel Vejmelka is expected in net for the Mammoth, boasting a league-leading 21 wins. Offensively, Mikko Rantanen leads the Stars in assists and points, while Jason Robertson tops their goal-scoring. For the Mammoth, Clayton Keller leads in assists and points, with Guenther as their primary goal scorer. A notable difference between the teams is their power-play efficiency; Dallas maintains a high percentage despite a recent cold streak, whereas Utah's power play ranks near the bottom of the league. Their initial encounter this season saw the Stars clinch a narrow 4-3 victory at home.