Tuesday night in Salt Lake City brought a wild, back-and-forth NHL contest as the Utah Mammoth stunned the Edmonton Oilers 6-5 in overtime at the Delta Center. The Oilers, who came into the game holding first place in the Pacific Division, saw three separate leads slip away before Utah center Clayton Keller delivered the decisive blow just 35 seconds into the extra frame, sniping a power-play goal to send the home crowd into a frenzy.
It was a game that had everything: breakneck pace, highlight-reel goals, and momentum swings that left fans breathless. The Oilers, opening a crucial three-game road trip, looked poised for another victory over the Mammoth, a franchise they had never lost to in their previous six meetings. Yet, the night would end differently, as Utah clawed back time and again, refusing to let Edmonton escape with both points.
From the opening puck drop, the action was relentless. Utah’s J.J. Peterka wasted no time, putting the Mammoth on the board less than two minutes in. But the Oilers responded instantly, with Curtis Lazar finding the back of the net just 11 seconds later. That quick strike was set up by veteran defenseman Mattias Ekholm, who notched his 400th career point with the assist—a milestone that drew praise from teammates and coaches alike.
The first period set the tone for what would become a night of trading blows. Edmonton surged ahead 3-1, fueled by goals from Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. McDavid, always a threat, dazzled on the power play, weaving through defenders before firing a shot past Utah’s goaltender. Nugent-Hopkins added to the tally, capitalizing on a rebound to give the Oilers a two-goal cushion. Yet, the Mammoth were undeterred. Alex Kerfoot and Nick Schmaltz answered for Utah, with Schmaltz’s tally bringing the home side within one before the intermission.
“They have a lot of skill and were able to capitalize when given opportunities in big moments,” Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse said after the game. “There were areas of the game that we could have been better for sure, but we’ll build off the things that were good tonight and get ready for tomorrow.”
The second period saw the Oilers regain and then lose control—twice. Vasily Podkolzin restored Edmonton’s two-goal lead, but Utah’s persistence paid off. Nick Schmaltz, enjoying a career year, notched his 30th goal of the season with a shorthanded effort that electrified the crowd and knotted the game at 4-4 before the second intermission. Schmaltz’s two-goal night underscored just how dangerous Utah’s secondary scoring has become in recent weeks.
As the third period unfolded, the tension ratcheted up another notch. Colton Dach put Edmonton back in front, but the Mammoth refused to go away. Keller, who had already contributed with an assist earlier, tied the game once more, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Both teams traded chances late, but neither could break the deadlock in regulation, sending the contest to overtime—where the stakes and the nerves were highest.
Overtime didn’t last long. Just 33 seconds into the extra period, Utah earned a power play after an Edmonton infraction. The Mammoth wasted no time setting up their attack, and Keller, lurking in his favorite spot, unleashed a pinpoint shot that beat the Oilers’ netminder clean. The red light flashed and the Delta Center erupted. For Utah, it was a statement win—a sign that this team, still forging its identity in the league, can hang with the best.
“We just kept believing,” Keller said in the post-game scrum, his jersey still soaked with sweat. “We knew if we stuck to our game plan and kept pushing, we’d get our chance. That power play in overtime, the guys set me up perfectly, and I was lucky to put it in.”
While the Mammoth celebrated, the Oilers were left to ponder what might have been. Despite outshooting Utah and controlling large stretches of play, Edmonton simply couldn’t put the game away. The loss marked their first ever against the Utah franchise, a fact that stung given the multiple leads they held throughout the night.
Still, there were positives for the Oilers. With the point earned from the overtime loss, they remained atop the Pacific Division standings, thanks in part to results elsewhere—Vegas defeating Vancouver and Anaheim falling to Calgary. Edmonton’s depth was on display, with five different players registering goals, and Mattias Ekholm reaching a career milestone. The team will have little time to dwell on the defeat, as they wrap up their back-to-back set Wednesday night against the San Jose Sharks.
For Utah, the victory was more than just two points. It was a showcase of resilience and the kind of offensive firepower that has fans in Salt Lake City buzzing. Keller, Kerfoot, and Schmaltz have emerged as a formidable trio, and the Mammoth’s ability to claw back from deficits bodes well as the playoff race heats up. Nick Schmaltz’s shorthanded goal, in particular, was a turning point—“That was a huge moment for us,” Mammoth head coach remarked. “Nick’s effort on the penalty kill gave us life and really swung the momentum.”
Looking ahead, the Oilers will seek to regroup quickly, hoping to shore up their defense and recapture the form that has kept them atop the division. For the Mammoth, this win could serve as a springboard for the final stretch of the regular season. If Tuesday night is any indication, Utah is becoming a team that no opponent can take lightly—especially on home ice, where the Delta Center faithful are starting to believe in something special.
As the final horn sounded, both teams skated off knowing this was more than just another game on the schedule. For Edmonton, it was a lesson in finishing strong. For Utah, it was proof that persistence—and a little home-ice magic—can make all the difference. With the playoff picture tightening and every point at a premium, fans can expect plenty more drama as the season barrels toward its conclusion.