Utah Mammoth defenseman Dmitri Simashev (26) talks with defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) between the action during an NHL game against the Colorado Avalanche held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 (Isaac Hale, Deseret News).
(Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Despite an early lead and a strong response to tie the game late in the second period, Toronto’s best proved to be too much for the Utah Mammoth as they eventually lost to the Maple Leafs on Wednesday night.
While Dmitri Simashev was able to record his first NHL point on a primary assist to Mikhail Sergachev, Utah failed to execute offensively for most of the contest which cost them down the stretch.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s 5-3 loss in Toronto.
Featuring three of Utah’s fiercest skaters, the Mammoth’s third line has arguably been their most disruptive and physically assertive trio.
Consisting of Lawson Crouse, Jack McBain, and Michael Carcone, the three aim to create havoc on the forecheck with active sticks, punishing hits and a suffocating approach as they hunt pucks in the offensive zone.
Against the Maple Leafs, that line was buzzing early as they played their brand of hockey and executed to perfection to open the scoring.
This is how Crouse can be so dangerous and effective.
Suffocating forecheck, active stick, and head on a swivel to find his teammate for an easy one in front.
What an effort from 67. https://t.co/GqyKeEBocP
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) November 6, 2025
Following a relentless pursuit by Crouse in Toronto’s zone, the associate captain then poked the puck free, got his head up, noticed Carcone flying towards the low slot and delivered a silky pass underneath for his teammate to tap home.
“Like every night, they work hard, they put pucks deep, they get on the forecheck, they put pucks at the net,” Head coach Andre Tourigny explained.
“They’re a really good identity line for us. They do a great job.”
Of the six goals scored by that line this season, four of them have come off the forecheck in similar situations.
That’s their game and they’re obviously quite good at it.
Now, could they score more goals?
Of course, especially Jack McBain who is fresh off a sizable contract extension but has yet to produce at an acceptable level.
However, thus far, they’ve still been fairly productive on the scoresheet, generated consistent energy, scored a handful of goals and found ways to remain effective even when the pucks aren’t going in.
While it’s been all about his elite defense through the first 14 games of Dmitri Simashev’s rookie campaign, the 20-year-old defenseman finally registered his first NHL point.
Recording a primary assist on Mikhail Sergachev’s goal to tie the game at two apiece in the second period, a weight was undoubtedly lifted from Simashev’s shoulder as he helped get the puck across the line.
“I’m just happy. Finally, I got the first point,” Simashev said following the second period.
Once the offense really clicks for Simashev, he has the potential to be a top defenseman in the NHL.
He’s only 20 🤯 https://t.co/LMknEHgSgK
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) November 6, 2025
For any young player, getting the first is a big deal.
Not only does it fulfill one of many childhood dreams, but it provides a big boost of confidence that can lead to even more points moving forward.
“I’m happy for him. He’s a great player. He’s going to have a lot more points coming in,” Mikhail Sergachev said.
Once the offense clicks, Simashev has the potential to be a top defenseman in the NHL.
His defense is already visibly elite, and the points should come as he continues to learn alongside Sergachev.
As soon as that evolution takes place, Utah will have yet another top-tier Russian defenseman commanding their blue line for years.
Before diving into this, let’s just preface by stating that Utah has undoubtedly surpassed expectations to begin the season.
Through 14 games, the Mammoth have already secured nine wins for 18 points (tied for second most in the NHL) with notable victories over the Colorado Avalanche, Winnipeg Jets and Boston Bruins.
Simply superb and well above where most expected them to be at this point.
But with that in mind, Utah has still demonstrated a need for sizable growth as they’ve yet to beat teams like the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs in their existence.
Losing another to Toronto on Wednesday night served as a reminder that this team is still developing.
“The effort was not the problem,” Tourigny explained.
“We could not make a play, we could not execute, our puck touch was no good…it was extremely tough for us to connect a few plays in a row.”
Like Tourigny noted, it wasn’t the effort that was poor but more the execution.
As one would expect from an experienced team like Toronto, the Maple Leafs effectively disrupted Utah for most the night.
The power play was abysmal, the defense suffered a few critical breakdowns, and the top two lines were mostly ineffective yet again.
As for the Leafs, their stars found ways to get the job done as William Nylander, John Tavares and Auston Matthews all scored to lift their team to victory.
Where momma hides the Swedish meatballs!@OREO | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/AdecmUg4G6
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) November 6, 2025
TYPICAL TONE 😮💨@OREO | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/Omzf1NXril
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) November 6, 2025
501 FOR JOHNNY TORONTO!!@OREO | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/oyoFpCPeaY
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) November 6, 2025
The Mammoth need more of that kind of production if they want to start beating these top teams and doing it consistently.
But to be fair, it’s also ok that they aren’t quite there yet.
It’s year five of a rebuild, not seven or eight.
Guys like Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther are good but still incredibly young and navigating consistency.
With a little more time, they can become true stars and lift the Mammoth in similar ways that Toronto’s top players have.
Until then, there’s going to be more nights like this against the best of the best.
Simple as that.
But as long as they can win the games they’re supposed to and continue to demonstrate progress in big matchups, Utah will figure it out as they start gathering playoff experience.
The Utah Mammoth will continue their four-game road trip against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night at 5 p.m. MT.
The game will be available on Mammoth+.
