‘The only thing I don’t like is the scoreboard’: Mammoth fall to a likely playoff opponent

Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) hits Anaheim Ducks right wing Beckett Sennecke (45) in the face during a scuffle during the third period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 20, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Sometimes, you run into a hot goalie. Other times, it’s simply a defensive unit that’s willing to put bodies in front of shots.

The Utah Mammoth had an incredible 75 shot attempts against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday in their 4-1 loss, where two of the Ducks’ goals came on an empty net. They hit the net on 30 of those attempts — a decent number — but after Dylan Guenther opened the scoring with his signature one-timer 1:48 into the game, the Ducks seemed resolute not to let the high-quality bids reach the goaltender. Anaheim’s 26 blocks were tied for the second-most Utah has faced this season, and they seemed to always come at the most opportune moments.

WHAT A BLOCK BY JACOB TROUBA! pic. twitter.

com/VnTPLC4Wko — SleeperNHL (@SleeperNHL) March 21, 2026 Guenther said after the game that he and his teammates remained positive in those situations, which ultimately led to more scoring chances. “Even if they block it, it’s funneling to the corner,” he said. “Puck’s getting in deep.