SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 14: Clayton Keller #9 of the Utah Hockey Club celebrates after he 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)
SALT LAKE CITY – Following a tightly contested first-two periods of play, the Utah Hockey Club buried the Nashville Predators in the third with three unanswered goals. Thanks to a four-point night from Clayton Keller, Utah won their second straight and got their revenge on the team who spoiled their home finale less than a week ago.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s 7-3 win over Nashville.
Despite only scoring seven goals this season for the Utah Hockey Club, defenseman Michael Kesselring has proven he can deliver absolute laser beams when in prime scoring positions.
Playing on Utah’s blue line, most of Kesselring’s shots and goal this season have come from the high slot or point which requires a little extra heat in order to light the lamp.
MICHAEL KESSELRING WINS IT! ✅
His @Energizer overtime winner improves the @utahhockeyclub‘s record to 4-1-1! pic.twitter.com/pI6pRAQHEU
— NHL (@NHL) October 20, 2024
👑 THE KING TIES IT AT ONE! pic.twitter.com/hpMmXh9Pum
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) February 3, 2025
In similar fashion to his other goals this year, Kesselring unleashed an absolute laser beam against the Nashville Predators as he stepped up into slot, collected the puck and delivered an 82 MPH shot into the back of the net.
What a sequence from Utah here.
Great keep by Kerfoot, crafty pass at the line from Cole, and then an absolute rocket from Kesselring.
He can let it fly. Blink and you’ll miss it. https://t.co/SR7NJwP5pw
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) April 15, 2025
Throughout the year, Kesselring has shown a lot of potential and growth as he’s constructed a career-high in both goals (7) and assists (21) for the Utah Hockey Club.
However, the key for Kesselring moving forward will undoubtedly be generating even more dangerous opportunities and improving his shot percentage.
During the 2024-25 campaign, Kesselring led all of Utah’s defenseman with 144 shots but just a 4.2 percent shooting percentage.
While that’s not bad for a defenseman by any means, it could certainly be better.
If Kesselring is able to improve that number in the future, he could take his game to a whole new level as an influential two-way defender.
While the Utah Hockey Club is one of the youngest teams in the National Hockey League with a plethora of youthful talent, the 2024-25 campaign has been a year of many new career-highs.
Whether young or fairly seasoned, a strong number of Utah’s skaters played some of their best hockey in Salt Lake City.
Now, whenever a team has a collection young talent on their roster, each new season is generally going to produce a number of achievements.
For Utah however, there’s even more significance within all those numbers.
While it’s a massive positive to have young players like Cooley, Guenther, Kesselring and Hayton reaching new heights, to have franchise skaters like Keller, Schmaltz and Sergachev playing the best hockey of their careers is substantial.
“I’ve been with Kells for a long time. Seems like he’s getting better every year. Always happy for him and his milestones,” Nick Schmaltz said.
“I’m sure he’s just going to keep setting new bars every year.”
As Utah continues to build towards contention and hopefully competes for a Stanley Cup in the not-so-distant future, it will require the best from every player on their roster.
To have highly skilled, star level talent pushing themselves towards career seasons is what establishes a winning culture and will eventually result in postseason contention.
Wearing Utah across his chest for the first time, the 2024-25 season has been a career year of hockey for captain Clayton Keller.
Following a four-point night (2G, 2A) in Nashville, Keller not only continued to add to a career-best in terms of assists (60) but he’s now just one point away from the 90-point mark for the first time.
What a pass by the Captain 🔥
Cools makes it 3-1 game! pic.twitter.com/9vbqUCyUA3
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) April 15, 2025
Schmaltzy RIPPED that one 💥
Power play has been unreal lately! pic.twitter.com/q1gXubZ2da
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) April 15, 2025
Keller just took on the entire Predators zone and made it look EASY.
He’s a special offensive talent.
Elite vision, handles, passing, and scoring abilities. https://t.co/t9B5BY4T1t
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) April 15, 2025
As a four-time NHL All-Star, there was no questioning Keller’s talent coming to Utah.
However, as a first-time captain in a new city, some wondered how Keller might respond to the change.
His reaction?
The best hockey of his career with a team-high 29 goals, 60 assists and 89 points.
“As much as he’s happy, he always wants more,” head coach Andre Tourigny said.
“People were wondering how he’ll wear the C. You got your answer.”
With nearly 30 more points than the next guy on the list (Logan Cooley), Keller was the heart and soul of Utah’s offense this year and set the tone for how he plans to lead.
Not only does he demand the best from himself, but his attitude is infectious and will be a major driving force towards playoff contention in the future.
“I still feel young. I still feel like I just got out of college. I still have that hunger, excitement to come to the rink every day, get better, being around my teammates,” Clayton Keller said.
“Just super thankful.”
The Utah Hockey Club will now conclude their inaugural season against the St. Louis Blue on Tuesday night. 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.
