How the Vegas Golden Knights rallied back from an early series deficit to eliminate the Utah Mammoth

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) and Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) celebrate after the Vegas Golden Knights scored a goal during Game 6 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, May 1, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News The clock has struck midnight for the Mammoth. Utah’s second NHL season came to a bitter end Friday night at the Delta Center, as it suffered elimination at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup playoffs’ opening round.

In conquering the Mammoth, Vegas will keep on dancing for a second round date with the Anaheim Ducks, now having reached the Western Conference semifinals in three of the past four years. “The thing I loved about the team is they just kept their head down through the momentum swings against a really good hockey team we were playing against,” Vegas head coach John Tortorella said postgame. “(Utah is) a very well-coached hockey team, but we just found our way.

” Utah Mammoth right wing JJ Peterka (77) loses possession of the puck defended by Vegas Golden Knights center Nic Dowd (26) and Vegas Golden Knights right wing Cole Smith (22) during Game 6 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, May 1, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) blocks a shot by Utah Mammoth center Alexander Kerfoot (15) during Game 6 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, May 1, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) warms up before Game 6 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Utah Mammoth at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, May 1, 2026.

| Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Mammoth fan Rich Bradley poses outside the Delta Center before Game 6 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, May 1, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Daniel Breisch holds his daughter Claire Breisch, 5, as they walk to the Delta Center before Game 6 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, May 1, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Utah Mammoth fans cheer during Game 6 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, May 1, 2026.