Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) celebrates after scoring during the third period of Game 4 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 27, 2026 (Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News).
(Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – In just 38 days, the National Hockey League will return to an 84-game slate for the first time since the early 90’s.
Taking a closer look at the complete Utah Mammoth schedule, here are some of the biggest games on the calendar.
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The Carolina Hurricanes will make their one and only trip to Salt Lake City on December 17, 2026, as the Utah Mammoth host the reigning Stanley Cup Champions for the first time.
With an opportunity to challenge the league’s best, Utah is long overdue for a win over the Champs after losing three-straight to the Canes, including an embarrassing loss in late January as the Mammoth surrendered a 4-2 lead with less than two minutes remaining in the third.
THREE GOALS IN 1:29 FOR THE WIN 🚨 pic.twitter.com/XZoSifrOoQ
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) January 30, 2026
A win on home ice at this point in the season could also prove to be critical as the Mammoth will only play three games at the Delta Center from December 3 to the 26.
For the third straight year, the Utah Mammoth will close out the regular season in a Central Division matchup against the St. Louis Blues on April 10, 2027.
While the final game of the year has yet to hold any significant playoff indications through the first two seasons, 2027 could be different as both clubs push for a spot.
As the Mammoth strive for their second-straight postseason berth, the Blues will attempt to return to the playoffs after trading for Mason McTavish and Jordan Kyrou amongst others this past summer.
Not only could the game determine playoff standings, but it could be the difference between who gets in and who is out.
After losing their first ever playoff series to the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 this past spring, the Mammoth will have an opportunity to storm the castle and claim their revenge on November 11.
Now bigger, stronger, and more experienced with the additions of Vincent Trocheck and Anders Lee, Utah will be able to match their new rival’s presence in front of the net.
Combined with their youthful speed, Utah should be well-equipped to seize the series this season.
Despite becoming a playoff squad last season, the Mammoth simply could not beat the Chicago Blackhawks once in 2025-26.
In fact, you have to go all the way back to March 30, 2025, in order to locate the last Utah victory.
But in just 38 days on October 1, 2026, the Mammoth will have an opportunity to set the tone during their home opener as they yet again welcome Chicago to the Delta Center to begin the year.
Not that the Blackhawks are a bad team, but they are certainly one of the bottom feeders in the Central Division and a squad Utah needs to dominate this season if they plan to return to the playoffs.
With four opportunities to capture points, three victories should be non-negotiable.
On December 31, 2026, the eyes of the hockey world will descend upon Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City as the Utah Mammoth host the coveted Winter Classic.
Hosting the Colorado Avalanche, the game will feature some of the NHL’s premier talent as Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, and Dylan Guenther face off against Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Gabriel Landeskog in a Central Division matchup.
As the marquee event of the NHL’s regular season, Utah will have a chance to establish themselves as a true hockey destination.
Anticipating that Smith Entertainment Group continues to exceed expectations and as long as the weather cooperates, this could be one of the best Winter Classics in league history that puts the beehive state on the map.
