March 7, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Utah Mammoth right winger Dylan Guenter (11) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images The surging Utah Mammoths will aim to remain perfect during their five-game road trip when they visit the struggling Chicago Blackhawks on Monday.
Utah firmly maintained its first place in the Western Conference wild card with wins in Washington, Philadelphia, and Columbus last week.
Now comes back-to-back games against Central Division foes Chicago and Minnesota.
Newly acquired defenseman MacKenzie Weegar compared Utah’s 5-4 overtime victory over the Eastern Conference rival Blue Jackets on Saturday to the postseason.
“I felt like that third period was a little bit of a physical playoff flavor and the crowd was into it, and I think that’s going to continue in this game,” he said.
Weegar made his team debut for the Mammoths in Columbus on Wednesday after being traded from the Calgary Flames. He had an assist, three blocks, two hits and a goal.
“He played a really good game,” Utah coach Andre Turigni said of Huiga. “I like the way he moves the puck and blocks some shots. He’s strong in his fight. We like him.”
Logan Cooley scored twice for Utah, including the game-winning goal at 2:08 of overtime.
Meanwhile, Chicago has lost 11 of its last 13 games (2-7-4) and is 1-3-2 since returning from the Olympic break.
The Blackhawks lost 4-3 in overtime at Dallas on Sunday.
Chicago took a 2-0 lead midway through the first quarter and then allowed three consecutive goals. Connor Bedard tied the score with 1:20 left in regulation, but defenseman Miro Heiskanen beat Arvid Soderblom for the game-winner 22 seconds into overtime.
Dallas beat Chicago 31-19.
“Sometimes we end up defending a little more than we want to because the ice is slanted towards us, but I also thought we missed a few shots,” Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill said. “We have to make sure we have a good shooting mentality.”
Chicago will be without forward Oliver Moore, who was injured in the first period Sunday after crashing into the end boards shortly after assisting on defenseman Sam Rinzel’s goal.
Blashill didn’t have many details about Moore after the game other than confirming he wouldn’t skate against Utah. Moore centered the third line to start Sunday’s game.
Fellow rookie Nick Lardis was a left winger on the fourth line against the Stars in his return to the NHL from Rockford of the American Hockey League. Radis recorded seven points (five goals, two assists) in 21 games with the Blackhawks from December 13 to January 25.
“It was great to get that first opportunity,” Lardis said. “I’ve learned a lot, and I feel like I’m a lot less stressed now… I want to show the coaches that I can be trusted more.”
Frank Nazar and Teuvo Teravainen each had two assists against Dallas. Najjar has recorded multiple points in consecutive games.
Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (lower body) has missed the last two games. He warmed up in Columbus but was replaced by Nick DeSimone.
Chicago can win the season series against Utah. The Blackhawks beat the visiting Mammoth 3-1 on Oct. 13 before Soderblum won 4-0 in Utah on March 1.
The clubs are scheduled to meet again in Salt Lake City on Thursday.
–Field level media
