Entrenched in their respective Wild Card battles heading into Saturday’s matchup, the Columbus Blue Jackets will be aiming for their fourth straight win when they host the Utah Mammoth.
Both of these rising squads were bolstered by significant acquisitions before Friday’s trade deadline.
The Blue Jackets enter the game as one of the NHL’s hottest teams since hiring coach Rick Bowness on Jan. 12, owning an outstanding 13-2-1 record over that span. Their offense, which has averaged just over four goals per game under Bowness’ leadership, became even more potent with the addition of two-time 20-goal scorer Conor Garland late Thursday night.
Columbus sent the Vancouver Canucks a 2028 second-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick in order to acquire the skillful winger. The 29-year-old has had a down season offensively so far with just seven goals and 19 assists across 50 games this season, but comes with plenty of term.
Garland’s five-year contract runs out at the end of the season, but he had previously signed a six-year extension carrying a cap hit of $6 million per season with Vancouver that kicks in next season.
“I’m excited, it’s obviously a great team,” the newly acquired Garland said when asked about his feelings on the move during Sportsnet’s Hockey Central Trade Deadline show on Friday.
“They’ve been on quite a tear for the last little bit, right in the thick of a playoff race. It’s an exciting time of the year when you’re in a playoff race, there’s nothing like watching the standings, watching other teams every night, and I’m really excited to join them.”
Garland’s new squad extended its win streak to three games after defeating the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers 4-2 on Thursday.
Mathieu Olivier picked up a pair of goals in the victory, while Ivan Provorov finished with a goal and two assists.
“Every shift was a battle and we won a lot of them,” Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner said, who also found the back of the net in the victory. “So I like the way we played and stayed with it, even though they’re making their push in the third. Just a team win.”
On the other side of the ice, the Mammoth weren’t shy about boosting their chances of earning their first playoff spot since moving to Salt Lake City, following the acquisition of defenseman MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.
Despite collecting just three goals and 18 assists across 60 games this season, Utah is banking on Weegar returning to the form that saw him collect 40-plus points in three of the past four seasons.
Utah heads into Saturday’s contest with two straight wins under its belt, most recently blanking the Philadelphia Flyers 3-0 on Thursday.
“We knew that they’re kind of a stingy team, they don’t give you much. It wasn’t going to be the prettiest of games, but you gotta find a way to win those games at this time of year,” Nick Schmaltz, who scored the game’s opening goal, said of the tilt. “That’s a huge win and a really good start to the road trip.”
Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev’s status for Saturday is uncertain due to an upper-body injury, but Weegar could make his debut with the team.
–Field Level Media
