Utah Hockey Club defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98), center Clayton Keller (9) and center Barrett Hayton (27) all celebrate together after a goal by Hayton during a NHL game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Anaheim Ducks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Brice Tucker, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Brice Tucker, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Delta Center was buzzing early in the opening period as the Utah Hockey Club got out to a quick start against the Minnesota Wild.
With a power play opportunity, Barrett Hayton capitalized to give Utah an early lead in front of the home crowd.
Great goal from Hayton on the PP here.
Goes right at the net and wastes no time finding the back. Special teams desperately needed that one.
Hayton continues to make more of an impact for this team. https://t.co/Vz2X2sJ1T3
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 28, 2025
Set up by Mikhail Sergachev and Clayton Keller, Hayton took the puck from the right goal line to the center.
He wrapped his stick around the Wild goaltender and found a crease to sneak the shot in.
The score was Hayton’s 16th of the season. He is up to 33 points on the season with his 17 assists.
BARRETT HAYTON SCORES ON THE POWER PLAY!!!
1-0 UTAH!
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 28, 2025
Utah held a 4-0 advantage in shots early on.
The Wild came storming back to close that gap to 5-4 but the defense held strong to retain the lead.
As the Utah Hockey Club embarks on the final stretch of their inaugural season, every game has to be treated like a game seven.
Utah is 11 points back from an outright bid into the postseason and four points back from the Wild Card. The Hockey Club has heated up at the perfect time as they enter the Thursday matchup with two straight victories and five wins in their last seven games.
This is the fourth time these teams will face off this season. Utah has a slight advantage in the season series with two wins and one shootout loss.
Before the final matchup between Minnesota and Utah, the division rivals have a relatively different outlook on the final stretch of the NHL season.
With a 26-24-9 record, Utah sits fifth in the Central Division and 10th in the Western Conference. At 34-20-4, Minnesota holds the third spot in the Central Division and the fourth spot in the conference.
The Hockey Club has an 11-12-6 record on the road while the Wild are 21-7-3 at home. Utah comes in with five wins in its last seven games while Minnesota has four wins in its last seven.
Utah Hockey Club games can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on the KSL Sports app or 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
Find KSLSports.com coverage of the Utah Hockey Club here.
