Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) scores on Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) during the first period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, March 26, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Mammoth closed their homestand with a 7-4 loss to the Washington Capitals at the Delta Center on Thursday.
The result closed the season series between Utah and Washington in a split.
The loss leaves Utah at 37-30-6 on the season, which has them fourth in the West’s Central Division.
Final. pic.twitter.com/Ww8i5UgCWQ
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) March 27, 2026
Looking to end their homestand on a high note, the Mammoth started with a little extra heat.
Unfortunately, the wind would be taken out of their sails early.
Just over two minutes after puck drop, Capitals forward Ivan Miroshnichenko would be the first to find the back of the net.
Seeing this from Miro and Lappy makes us all bear-y happy pic.twitter.com/FVImwcom6F
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 27, 2026
The next ten minutes of action were chock-full of scoring opportunities, for both sides.
Every time Utah threatened to equalize, the Capitals back line, or goaltender Logan Thompson, were able to rid of the puck.
That was the story for the game’s first 13 minutes. But then the tide turned.
On a 4-on-3 power play, Dylan Guenther scored his 35th of the season to even the score at 1-1.
Gunner tallies his 3️⃣5️⃣th goal of the season! pic.twitter.com/MRsxdZrFoc
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) March 27, 2026
But he wasn’t done there.
About three minutes later, the Clayton Keller to Guenther connection shined bright again.
Keller unloaded to Guenther who swooped down from the right circle to the front of net for his second score.
Make that #36 👀
Gunner makes it 2-1, Utah. pic.twitter.com/TG9emdv1Xc
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) March 27, 2026
After Utah’s second score, tempers flared.
Brandon Tanev pinned Capitals defenseman Matt Roy against the glass, which two other Washington skaters didn’t appreciate.
An extended scuffle later, Tanev and Washington’s Tom Wilson got hit with misconduct calls.
Now set on the power play leading into the end of the period, Utah would add one more to its tally.
Logan Cooley, off assists from Mikhail Sergachev and Nick Schmaltz, made it 3-1 with just seconds left in the first.
Cools with 5.4 seconds left in the first 🤯 pic.twitter.com/IFztABEP9y
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) March 27, 2026
Utah took its two-goal lead into the first intermission.
Similar to the first, Washington would be first to score in the second period.
Off assists from Rasmus Sandin and Martin Fehervary, Alex Ovechkin tapped it in from close range to drop the Mammoth lead to one.
That score was shortly followed up by a Utah power play, but Washington was able to successfully kill and keep the game within striking distance.
The penalty kill almost immediately played dividends. Ovechkin would score his second of the period, this time from the high slot, to tie the game at 3-3.
That’s two goals this period and a reminder this man is 40 years old pic.twitter.com/LX7D9VPtvP
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 27, 2026
The final eight minutes of the period saw plenty of scoring chances, a penalty kill, and a penalty play for the Mammoth.
But all the action came and went with no goals.
Heading into the final period, the score was left tied at 3-3.
The period started with a slew of penalties thrown at the Mammoth including instigating for Lawson Crouse and misconduct against Jack McBain.
Washington was quick to take advantage.
Just under three minutes into the period, Anthony Beauvillier posted up in front of net and was able to redirect a shot past Vitek Vanecek to give the Capital their first lead since the opening minutes of the game.
And when it rains, it pours. That was true for the Mammoth in the first, and it came Washington’s turn in the third.
Sandin caught Vanecek off his spot and, just like that, the Capitals took a two-goal lead.
Just as things started to get out of hand for the Mammoth, they got pulled right back into it. MacKenzie Weegar let it rip and cut the Capitals lead in half.
The crowd LOVED this one from Weegs! pic.twitter.com/frVaWG2mbl
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) March 27, 2026
As fast as the hype built, it was even quicker to dissipate.
Less than two minutes after Weegar’s score, Miroshnichenko netted his second to put Washington back up two.
For the final six minutes, it felt like Utah had set up camp in the offensive zone. Shot after shot was fired at Thompson, but every one was either off the mark, deflected, or saved.
With just seconds left, Ovechkin scored his hat trick goal to secure the road win.
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