Clayton Keller #9 of the Utah Hockey Club celebrates with Nick Schmaltz #8 after Keller scored the winning goal against the San Jose Sharks in the final minute of the third period at SAP Center on December 14, 2024 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
DETROIT – In the second period in Detroit, Clayton Keller and Barrett Hayton set up Nick Schmaltz for a huge equalizing goal.
The goal was Schmaltz’s 13th of the season and moved him into second on Utah’s roster for total points this season.
This is phenomenal work by Hayton to get lost in the O-zone and then feed Schmaltz for an easy one.
Detroit had no clue where Hayton was and once he received the puck it was a 2 on 1 executed to perfection.
Heads up from Schmaltz to move into position.pic.twitter.com/NxFT5lbapw
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) March 7, 2025
The Utah Hockey Club played on its heels for much of the first two periods against the Red Wings.
Through the first 40 minutes, Detroit had 16 more shots and eight fewer giveaways. However, it didn’t translate to much as Utah was able to hold strong and only allow two goals.
It also helped that Karel Vejmelka was basically standing on his head between the pipes.
Criminal from Vejmelka. What a save.pic.twitter.com/eV7d7KVwOj
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) March 7, 2025
On Schmaltz’s goal, Keller recorded his 300th career assist.
He is the third player from his draft class to reach that mark. Also, he moved into second place in the NHL for total assists in the 2025 calendar year.
The Utah Hockey Club will begin a massively important two-game road trip against the Detroit Red Wings tonight.
At this point of the season, every game is do-or-die for Utah. The postseason is not out of the question but they will need big wins, and big losses from the competition, if they hope to secure a Wild Card spot.
Detroit finds itself in a very similar situation. They are currently on the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture looking in. However, they trail the Wild Card teams by less than three points. As things stand through 61 games, Utah needs to make up four points.
Before the first matchup between Detroit and Utah, the teams have a very similar outlook on the final stretch of the NHL season.
With a 27-25-9 record, Utah sits sixth in the Central Division and 11th in the Western Conference. At 30-25-6, Detroit holds the fifth spot in the Atlantic Division and the 10th spot in the conference.
The Hockey Club has a 15-12-3 record on the road while the Red Wings are 16-14-3 at home. Utah comes in having won three of its last four while Detroit has lost three in a row.
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.
