What a difference one player can make when the pressure is at its peak. The Utah Mammoth finally broke through for their first victory of the 2025-26 campaign, and unsurprisingly, it was their emerging superstar who delivered when it mattered most in a heart-stopping overtime finish against the Nashville Predators.
Let's be clear: this wasn't a flawless, highlight-reel kind of game. It was a gritty, hard-fought battle on the road where sheer will to win ultimately made the difference. And this is the part most people miss—true championship-caliber teams find ways to win even when they're not playing their absolute best hockey.
Once again, Dylan Guenther proved why he's earning the nickname "Mr. Game-Winner." The 22-year-old phenom from Edmonton sealed the deal for Utah just 2 minutes and 56 seconds into the extra period, beating the Nashville goaltender for his fifth career overtime goal and his tenth game-winning goal since joining the franchise. But here's where it gets controversial—is it too early to start talking about Guenther as one of the league's elite clutch performers? His nine game-winning goals last season actually placed him in a tie for fifth best across the entire NHL, suggesting this is no fluke but rather the emergence of a legitimate superstar.
"These tight, nail-biting games are exactly what we live for as competitors," Guenther shared after the game. "When every single shift could determine the outcome, that's when we need to elevate our performance to another level."
The statistics through these early games tell a compelling story about Guenther's importance to this team. He has directly contributed to three of Utah's four total goals this season, scoring two himself while setting up another. After recording 60 points last year, all signs point toward him shattering that personal best in what is now his fourth season in the league.
His teammate Jack McBain, who previously lived with Guenther, offered what might be the understatement of the night when questioned about the game-winning play. "He's a good player," McBain stated plainly, then added with a smile, "He's doing a lot of really good stuff out there; he's incredibly fun to watch, so this success is well-deserved for him."
The game itself was a rollercoaster of momentum swings that showcased why hockey is such an unpredictable and thrilling sport. Utah drew first blood just 2:21 into the contest when Logan Cooley found the back of the net for his first goal of the season. Nashville answered back roughly five minutes later with Filip Forsberg beating the Utah goaltender to even the score.
Things got particularly tense in the second period when Utah found themselves in penalty trouble, spending a significant portion of the frame short-handed. This allowed Nashville to control the flow of the game and eventually take the lead on a goal from Erik Haula at the 13-minute mark. But here's where the narrative shifted—Utah demonstrated the resilience that could define their season when Jack McBain, not typically known for his scoring prowess, netted the equalizer in the third period to force overtime.
"Playing with physicality and establishing presence in the tough areas around the net is fundamental to how I approach the game," McBain explained. "I genuinely thrive in these kinds of hard-hitting contests—the grittier, the better, as far as I'm concerned."
However, the physical nature of the game—particularly in a venue nicknamed "Smashville" for good reason—may have come at a cost for Utah. In a concerning moment during overtime, defenseman Sean Durzi absorbed a heavy check from Nashville's Jonathan Marchessault and immediately skated to the bench while clutching his shoulder, his frustration evident as he took a seat. Head coach Andre Tourigny provided no update on Durzi's condition following the game, leaving fans to wonder about the potential implications for Utah's defensive corps moving forward.
With this victory, Utah evens their record at 1-1 as they continue their season-opening road trip. They'll face the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday before finally returning to the Delta Center for their highly anticipated home opener against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.
Now, we want to hear from you: Do you believe Dylan Guenther is already a top-tier clutch player in the NHL, or does he need to maintain this level of performance over a longer period to earn that distinction? And concerning physical play: where should the league draw the line between competitive physical hockey and plays that unnecessarily risk player safety? Share your perspective in the comments below.
