March 2, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness coaches against the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Firmly entrenched in their own wild-card battle ahead of Saturday’s matchup, the Columbus Blue Jackets will be aiming for their fourth straight win when they host the Utah Mammoth.
Both of these up-and-coming teams were bolstered by significant acquisitions before Friday’s trade deadline.
The Blue Jackets enter the game as one of the NHL’s hottest teams since hiring coach Rick Bowness on Jan. 12 and own an outstanding 13-2-1 record in that span. Their offense, averaging just over four goals per game under Bowness’ leadership, got even more potent with the two additions of Conor Garland, who had 20 goals late Thursday night.
Columbus sent a 2028 second-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick to the Vancouver Canucks to acquire the skilled winger. The 29-year-old has had a disappointing season offensively, registering just seven goals and 19 assists in 50 games this season, but he has plenty of time left in his tenure.
Garland’s five-year contract expires at the end of the season, but he previously signed a six-year extension with Vancouver that starts next season and carries a cap hit of $6 million per season.
“I’m excited. It’s obviously a great team,” newly acquired Garland said on Sportsnet’s Hockey Central Trade Deadline show on Friday when asked about his feelings on the road.
“They were on quite a tear in the final moments when the playoff race was in full swing. Being in the playoff race is the most exciting time of the year. There’s nothing like watching the standings and watching different teams play every night. I’m really excited to be with them.”
Garland’s new squad extended its two-game winning streak to three games with a 4-2 win over the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Thursday.
Mathieu Olivier scored twice, and Ivan Provorov finished with a goal and two assists.
“Every shift was a battle and we had a lot of wins,” Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner said. He also scored a goal in the win. “So I like the way we played and kept it together even though they were pushing it in Game 3. It’s just a team win.”
On the other side of the ice, the Mammoths didn’t hesitate to improve their chances of making the playoffs for the first time since moving to Salt Lake City after acquiring defenseman Mackenzie Wigger from the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.
Despite recording just three goals and 18 assists in 60 games this season, Utah will be hoping for Wiega to return to the form that earned him 40-plus points in three of the last four seasons.
Utah entered Saturday’s contest on a two-game winning streak, most recently defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 3-0 on Thursday.
Nick Schmaltz, who scored the game’s opening goal, said of the tilt: “We knew they’re a stingy team. They don’t give you much. It’s not going to be the prettiest game, but you’ve got to find a way to win that game this time of the year.” “It’s a huge win and a really good start to the road trip.”
Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev’s status on Saturday is uncertain due to an upper-body injury, but Wiga could make his debut with the team.
–Field level media
