The Edmonton Oilers are rounding into form just in time for the playoffs, but they have not had their best regular season as a whole. The cozy confines of the pillow fight Pacific Division gives the Oilers a shot at the division crown all the same.
The reward for a division victory is home ice through the first two rounds of the playoffs, but it also offers the chance to play against a wild card team.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the Utah Mammoth, who are all but destined to face off against the Pacific Division winner. Years of high draft picks, most of which came as the Arizona Coyotes, are finally starting to bear fruit. With some high end talent coming into their own, and more on the way still, the Mammoth are primed to make their playoff debut.
Forwards
Keller—Schmaltz—Crouse
Yamamoto—Cooley—Guenther
Peterka—McBain—Carcone
Kerfoot—Stenlund—Tanev
Extras: O’Brien, But
Injured: Hayton
Clayton Keller defines the first line for the Mammoth. A longstanding linemate Nick Schmaltz offers some skill at centre, flanked by the hulking Lawson Crouse. The trio has an array of skills they bring to the ice, though it might be seen as underwhelming for a top line.
There is youth beyond this, with Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther quickly becoming high end contributors in their own rights. JJ Peterka is having a tougher season, but is still vital in cementing the team’s glut of top-six talent.
The rest of the group offers some dimension. Alex Kerfoot and Kevin Stenlund offer defensive reputations, Barrett Hayton the same but a cut above. Jack McBain and Brandon Tanev bring a level of physicality. Michael Carcone brings some speed and skill to the bottom-six, but youngster Danil But offers some upside down the line.
To an extent this forward group is still coming of age. Cooley and Guenther still have room to grow, while But is joined by high end prospects Tij Iginla and Caleb Desnoyers in representing better days ahead. That concept encapsulates the forward group as a whole, brimming with potential.
The firepower might not be quite there in actuality just yet. Though the Mammoth have been flirting with a top 10 offence, much of this is thanks to their elevated shooting percentage. The talent might be there to continue the trend.
Defence
Sergachev—Weegar
Schmidt—Marino
Cole—Durzi
Extras: DeSimone, Simashev
Injured:
In one of the biggest deadline deals league-wide the Mammoth added MacKenzie Weegar. In many ways Weegar completes the blueline, not only in his talent level but also stylistically. Mikhail Sergachev, Sean Durzi, and to an extent veteran Nate Schmidt bring a good deal of offensive capability, while John Marino and Ian Cole offer more traditional defensive skillsets.
Dmitriy Simashev has yet to bloom into his best form, but projects to be an effective shutdown defenceman. This is but another aspect in which the Mammoth might be a greater force in the years ahead.
Regardless, the group remains solid for now. The Mammoth have been able to defend adequately. At even strength the Mammoth are effective at limiting chances, helping them to be one of the league’s top defensive teams overall. The penalty kill has left more to be desired, particularly in giving up chances from the net front.
Goalies
Vejmelka
Vanecek
Extras: Hrabal
Karel Vejmelka has been the clear starter, taking on a huge workload for the Mammoth. Vejmelka will likely lead the league in starts by the end of the season. All the more impressive is that he has held up nicely under these conditions.
To some extent Vejmelka’s heavy workload might reflect a lack of faith in backup Vitek Vanecek. Vanecek has been fine, but clearly finding him more starts has not been a priority.
The theme of a bright future continues in net, with Michael Hrabal Turing pro this season. After a strong NCAA career, and some strong international performances, Hrabal is a highly touted prospect. He should not figure into the playoff plans for this season, but projects to start pushing his way up the depth chart sooner than later.
Versus the Oilers
Prior to their third and final meeting of the season, the Oilers have defeated the Mammoth twice in convincing fashion. Perhaps the most encouraging part for the Oilers is that they have 11 goals in those two games, none of which have come on the power play.
With only one power play opportunity in those games, the Oilers have not had much of a chance to take advantage either. This might be one of the biggest statistical advantages the Oilers have against the Mammoth, and both Evan Bouchard and Zach Hyman could have huge impacts given the Mammoth penalty kill and its weak points.
No doubt the Oilers would be favoured in a series against the Mammoth. There is certainly a discrepancy between the amount of playoff experience on either side, the young Mammoth core still earning their stripes.
The Mammoth would need to assert themselves offensively to keep up with the Oilers firepower, which is looking like a tough feat given the Oilers improving defensive play. The uncertainty in net remains a focal point for the Oilers, and so getting to former teammate Connor Ingram has to be a big part of the equation.
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