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Stars’ Early Power Plays Drop Mammoth 3-2, Testing Utah’s Wild-Card Grip

Special-teams lapses plus a season-low shot total exposed Utah’s vulnerabilities as it protects a slim wild-card lead before the Olympic pause.

Overview

  • Dallas converted first-period power plays from Thomas Harley and Wyatt Johnston, and Matt Duchene added another goal to secure a fourth straight win.
  • Kailer Yamamoto scored twice for Utah for the second game in a row, with JJ Peterka assisting on both to reach 101 career helpers.
  • Utah mustered only 14 shots on goal, its lowest of the season, while Casey DeSmith made 12 saves for his first win since Jan. 7 and Karel Vejmelka stopped 28 for the Mammoth.
  • Coach André Tourigny cited faltering special teams after two early delay-of-game penalties led to Stars power-play goals, with Utah owning the NHL’s worst January power play and a recent dip on the penalty kill.
  • The NHL’s video review upheld Yamamoto’s first goal, ruling Barrett Hayton’s crease contact did not constitute goaltender interference, as Utah remains at 60 points atop the West’s wild-card race with Vancouver and Detroit up next before the Olympic break.