SALT LAKE CITY – The Dallas Stars came crashing down on Saturday night as the Utah Hockey Club earned an impressive road victory with a franchise best four power play goals.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s 5-3 win over Dallas.
While Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther made the most noticeable strides with their flashy goals and clutch performances this year, Utah Hockey Club forward Barrett Hayton quietly had his best season in the NHL.
Following his PP goal against #TexasHockey, Barrett Hayton has reached 20 goals in a season for the first time in his career.
His 44 points are also a career high.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) April 13, 2025
After scoring a power play goal in the first period to tie the game against the Dallas Stars, Hayton not only reached 20 goals in a season for the first time in his career, but he also recorded a career-high 44 points.
Barrett Hayton, ALL IN!
Tied up 1-1. pic.twitter.com/BGADovTC1c
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) April 13, 2025
Just as he’s done all season, Hayton battled for position in front of the net, screened the goaltender and got his stick on a shot from the point that trickled into the Stars net.
“I’ve been playing with Hayton for a long time now. He’s one of the hardest working guys. He puts in a lot of work away from the rink,” Nick Schmaltz said.
“He’s a great player. Whatever you really need. He can score, he can defend, he can play the penalty kill, power play. Kind of a utility guy.”
Demonstrated by his “All-In” seasonal award as voted by the fans in 2025, Hayton was one of the few skaters on Utah’s roster that consistently battled behind the net and near the crease to pick up greasy goals.
Those are the types of plays that allowed Hayton to rediscover his game for the Utah Hockey Club and bounce back from an injury riddled season a year ago.
As Hayton approaches the end of his two-year contract at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, that’s the kind of effort that could help him earn a new extension.
The Utah Hockey Club’s power play was a well-oiled scoring machine against the Dallas Stars as they netted a franchise-best four goals in a single game.
Playing the right way 💪
Doaner makes it 4-2. pic.twitter.com/iWzYuQ8DwZ
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) April 13, 2025
🚨 Schmaltzy buries it! 5-3, Utah!
Power play has been unreal tonight! pic.twitter.com/Q3OJfudeQ9
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) April 13, 2025
Going a perfect 4/4 on the man advantage, Utah maintained lengthy O-zone possessions, generated traffic in front of the net, screened the goaltender and found players in dangerous areas.
“Four goals on the power play tonight, you’re probably going to win a lot of hockey games,” Sean Durzi said.
“We’ve talked about it all year. It’s building confidence, attacking, finding a good mindset.”
Utah’s success on the power play was also a testament of their unwavering effort.
Despite being recently eliminated from playoff contention, Utah remained hungry, battled hard, responded to adversity and found a way to win a game that didn’t really matter.
“We’ve worked so hard to building a winning culture, to win close games, find ways and I thought we did a good job tonight,” Durzi added.
“Focus doesn’t change in our room. Guys are working hard, battling hard in practice and then carrying it over to the game.”
Boasting one of the brightest futures in the National Hockey League, the Utah Hockey Club continues to take to steps in the right direction with 20-year-old forward Logan Cooley leading their youthful charge.
Adding to his career-high of 61 points against the Stars, Cooley took a significant leap this season as he found the net more often, proved himself on special teams and fearlessly played his two-way game.
On Saturday night, Cooley increased his tally with a goal and an apple in Dallas as he got his head up, put himself in position, called for the puck, and buried a one-timer far post to light the lamp.
Great pass from Maatta but an even better shot from Cooley on the one-timer.
He put himself in prime position, called for the puck, and blasted it up high on the far post. https://t.co/26y25WNcQC
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) April 13, 2025
According to the Utah Hockey Club’s broadcast, Logan Cooley is currently tied with Connor Bedard for the 2nd most points (61) amongst players 20 or younger this season.
How has he accomplished that?
With his blazing speed, filthy handles, great positioning, ferocity around the net and a sixth sense that separates him from the typical NHL skater.
“Obviously, he’s very noticeable now,” Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said of Logan Cooley earlier this season. “He skates really well, brings the puck to the net. He’s pretty fearless taking it there.”
“He’s got great hands; he can shoot it. He’s the total package. He’s dangerous out there.”
Sidney Crosby on Logan Cooley:
“Obviously, he’s very noticeable now. He skates really well, brings the puck to the net. He’s pretty fearless taking it there.”
“He’s got great hands, he can shoot it. He’s the total package. He’s dangerous out there.”#UtahHC #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/HvWWEtHzT7
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 30, 2025
Despite being 20 years old, Cooley is a remarkably talented player whose shown glimpses of superstardom in just his second NHL season.
As Utah continues to take steps towards consistently making the postseason, Cooley will not only play a critical role in that, but he’ll also extend Utah’s competitiveness in the league as he improves.
The Utah Hockey Club will now face the Nashville Predators on Monday night at Bridgestone Arena. 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.
