SALT LAKE CITY – Rookie winger Daniil But lit the lamp for the first time, but it wasn’t enough as the Utah Mammoth fell 2-1 to the visiting New Jersey Devils.
The Mammoth (17-17-3, 37 points) is hosting New Jersey (20-14-1, 41 points) at the Delta Center on Friday, December 19. Utah is 8-5-1 at home, while New Jersey is 9-8-0 on the road.
Tonight’s game is a battle of ninth-place teams in their respective conferences. The Devils are tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Utah’s 37 points are even with the San Jose Sharks for the last playoff spot in the West.
Devils win 2-1.
Great effort on the 6 on 4 but Utah couldn't find the back of the net.
Few Grade A scoring chances but they wouldn't go.
Pesce saved a goal with his stick as Guenther had an open net on a one-timer, but it deflected off the twig.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
Nick Schmaltz leads Utah with 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists), followed by 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) from Captain Clayton Keller.
Left-winger Jesper Bratt leads the Devils with 29 points (6 goals, 23 assists). Timo Meier’s 11 goals lead four players with double-figure goals.
Recognizing the need to beef up the backend of its defense, Utah Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong made veteran NHL defensman John Marino one of his first trade acquisitions after the club arrived in Salt Lake City last summer.
The former New Jersey Devil was limited to 35 games in his first season with Utah, but his influence on the team was evident from the start.
“A lot of poise, a lot of brains, he’s super smart,” head coach André Tourigny said when asked about Marino’s milestone. “Smart hockey player. He’s a good puck mover; he moves the puck well. Even in crunch situations, I think he’s capable of making those high-level plays with the puck.”
MORNING SKATE
"A lot of poise, a lot of brains, he's super smart. Smart hockey player, he's a good puck mover. He moves the puck really well, even in crunch situations."@utahmammoth André Tourigny on John Marino playing his 400th NHL game tonight pic.twitter.com/CY1S536lPz
— Utah Mammoth PR (@UtahMammoth_PR) December 19, 2025
The Massachusetts native scored one goal and added 13 assists late last year as the club made a late playoff push that ultimately came up short.
A fully healthy Marino already has two goals and 15 assists this year and is +14 in more than 20 minutes on the ice per game.
Tonight is Marino’s second game against his former team.
Lines from today:
Keller – Schmaltz – Peterka
Crouse – Hayton – Guenther
Carcone – McBain – But
O’Brien – Stenlund – YamamotoSergachev – Durzi
Schmidt – Marino
Cole – DeSimome
Valimaki – Maatta— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 19, 2025
Karel Vejmelka is the first goaltender off the ice.
That indicates he should start against New Jersey tonight.#TusksUp #NJDevils
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 19, 2025
Per Tourigny, there will be some game time decisions tonight against the Devils.#TusksUp #NJDevils
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 19, 2025
Veteran C Alexander Kerfoot is set to play tonight when the @utahmammoth host the @NJDevils https://t.co/jHcJ3lg9Jd
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 20, 2025
Kerfoot will play tonight on the 4th line. https://t.co/9gJvPaZAVG
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
Kerfy is back in the lineup! pic.twitter.com/roWf2n0M4M
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) December 20, 2025
Congratulations on 400 career @nhl games, Johnny! pic.twitter.com/RX9TBIEr0i
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) December 20, 2025
Marino has silky mitts from time to time.
He’s danced through the offensive zone quite a bit over the last few weeks.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
But nearly scored his first NHL goal off a beautiful delivery right in the low slot but Markstrom slammed the door.
He’s going to get one soon. He’s putting himself in really dangerous positions, just hasn’t been able to apply the finishing touch.
It’s coming.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
Hamilton trips Crouse and Utah will head to the PP.
1P: 11:49 | 0-0
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
DANIIL BUT SCORES HIS FIRST NHL GOAL ON THE POWER PLAY AND UTAH LEADS 1-0!!!!!!
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
Filthy backhander.
Cheeks is going to score a lot of goals in the NHL. https://t.co/Ovze5uUQwA
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
.@utahmammoth LW Daniil But just buried his first NHL goal — a silky backhander that lifted Utah to an early lead and lit up the home crowd. Want to see how the rookie made it look effortless? 👀🏒https://t.co/GZ5pB9ComO
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 20, 2025
But is called for a trip and New Jersey will head to the PP.
1P: 9:00 | 1-0 Utah
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
Nate Schmidt is called for a cross check
5 on 3 for New Jersey for 57 seconds.
1P: 7:57 | 1-0 Utah
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
Utah back to full strength.
Incredible PK by the Mammoth.
Sound structure all the way through. Didn’t break down once. https://t.co/fQTsDQ7wEk
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
The last 4 periods have been some of the best of the season for the Utah Mammoth.
The biggest difference? They’re winning battles consistently in all 3 zones and getting to the net. https://t.co/CBxK86mKgb
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
High stick against Hayton.
Devils to the PP.
2P: 18:44 | 1-0 Utah
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
Utah back to full strength. https://t.co/geUsSUHb4B
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
DeSimone pulverized Crookshank with a textbook hit into the boards.
Crookshank didn't like it and decided to take retaliate which resulted in a roughing penalty.
Utah to the PP.
2P: 15:25 | 1-0 Utah
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
Crouse takes a high sticking penalty.
Devils back to the PP.
2P: 12:02 | 1-0 Utah
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
That is robbery with the glove from Vejmelka on the PK.
Tracked the puck so well and then snatched it.
That's a save that forces a shooter to look straight to the sky in frustration.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
Veggie says no! 🙅♂️
1-0, Utah. pic.twitter.com/0tkgwBUcHY
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) December 20, 2025
Utah back to full strength.
PK is 4/4 tonight. Simply impenetrable. https://t.co/VBhGssLyLa
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
Brown scores short side for New Jersey.
1-1
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
Kerfoot was hooked on a 2-on-0 opportunity for him and Carcone.
Carcone argued a penalty shot but was not rewarded with one.
Utah to the PP.
2P: 0:32 | 1-1
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
Even through two periods of play. pic.twitter.com/HZRcAsm0mA
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) December 20, 2025
Devils score on the PP off a rebound.
2-1 New Jersey https://t.co/5kDxDdXoGI
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
Utah really needs to find a way to at least get a point from tonight as they currently trail the Sharks by 2 in the standings.
San Jose also has 2 games in hand and plays Seattle tomorrow.
Right now, it's all about hanging around a WC spot for the Mammoth.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
That drop pass by Peterka on his forehand was absurd.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
Vejmelka to the bench.
Extra attacker on for Utah.
Roughly 1:40 to go.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
Utah needs to get to the inside and generate traffic.
Top unit has been far too perimeter. https://t.co/3fubK8hTZg
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 20, 2025
Back at home on Sunday against the Jets. pic.twitter.com/8y1iYCVpEx
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) December 20, 2025
Utah completes a two-game homestand against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday, December 21. The puck drops at 5 p.m. MT.
Follow the entire 2025-26 Utah Mammoth schedule here.
The Smith Entertainment Group’s (SEG) streaming platform will also continue to carry all Mammoth games on SEG+ in 2025-26.
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Follow him on X. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
All Mammoth games will be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM). Occasionally, KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) also airs Jazz games.
Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
