LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Sean Durzi #50 of the Utah Hockey Club skates the puck against the Los Angeles Kings in the third period at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 22, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Following an abysmal performance the previous night in an 8-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Utah Hockey Club offered a respectable effort in the second of a back-to-back against the Panthers. Despite losing in overtime, Utah still managed a point and demonstrated progress amidst a difficult stretch.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s OT loss in Florida.
While the PK did a decent job against the Panthers on Friday night with five kills on six opportunities, the Utah Hockey Club struggled to stay out of the box which cost them both offensively and defensively.
Penalties plagued Utah in the second as they were outshot 13-3 and trail 1-0.
Can’t do much when you’re desperately defending your own zone for 8 minutes. https://t.co/f4cXeeyLiH
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) March 29, 2025
With four trips to the sin bin in the second frame alone, Utah not only surrendered a power play goal, but they also restricted their own offense as they desperately defended their own zone for nearly 12 minutes against Florida.
Additionally, Utah’s own power play remained stagnant with 10 straight empty trips on the man advantage.
Despite impressive offensive zone possessions and commanding the puck for more than a minute at times, Utah has been unable to produce dangerous opportunities on the power play.
“Our coaching staff preaches it a lot, it’s the process. Results will take care of itself,” Sean Durzi said.
“If you ask me about the belief in the room, it hasn’t wavered…we just have to execute. It’s on nobody but us.”
Based on the eye test, it seems like Utah is simply making too many passes in pursuit of the perfect scoring chance.
While a power play is centered around generating easier opportunities with the extra space, after so many empty trips in a row, somebody needs to be a little more selfish and shoot the puck.
Until the 1:55 mark of the second period in Florida, the Utah Hockey Club had not scored for seven straight periods (more than 150 minutes).
Acknowledging the fact that Utah also hasn’t scored a 5-on-5 goal since last Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, something is clearly wrong offensively.
Similar to the power play, while Utah has generated a plethora of lengthy O-zone possessions, overpassing and poor puck luck has kept the frozen biscuit from crossing the goal line.
In the last three contests, Utah has been outscored 15-2.
Against the Panthers, Durzi’s lone goal was certainly a step in the right direction but one can’t help but question why the forward lines have struggled to score as of late.
Great 2 on 1 rush.
Pushed the tempo, went right at the net, perfectly placed pass and a great shot.
Tie game in Florida! https://t.co/6VVmx462Oi
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) March 29, 2025
“We know we hadn’t scored in five periods and just happy to see one go at even strength,” Durzi said.
“Just wish we got the job done.”
With nine games left on their schedule, Utah simply needs to focus on playing the right way and getting back on track offensively regardless of a postseason berth essentially being out of reach.
While Utah had their fair share of struggles on Friday night, what couldn’t be questioned was their effort and response following an 8-0 loss in Tampa the night before.
“Proud of the effort. I loved our intensity today…What happened in Tampa, happened in Tampa. Everybody and their grandmother knows that was not a good effort,” Durzi said.
“Proud of a lot of guys today…disappointed we didn’t get that one though.”
Despite the loss, Utah battled for more than 6o minutes, responded to some adversity on the blue line, killed off most of Florida’s power plays, tied the game and were emotionally invested.
“We had no passengers today. Everybody was engaged. Everybody was connected. I’m really proud of them,” Head coach Andre Tourigny said.
Sure, a win would’ve been ideal but given their situation in the standings and on a back-to-back no less, Utah’s effort against the Panthers was commendable and is something they should replicate to close out the season.
The Utah Hockey Club will now face the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center on Sunday afternoon. The game can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on air on the KSL Sports APP or on 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
