WHEN: 7:00 p.m. MT
WHERE: Delta Center – Salt Lake City, Utah
TV: SEG+, UtahHC+, Utah 16 | RADIO: KSL Sports Zone 97.5 FM, KZNS 1280 AM, NHL App
The Utah Hockey Club, holding a record of 4-4-1, is set to host the winless San Jose Sharks (0-7-2) at the Delta Center tonight. After suffering three consecutive losses, Utah is eager to regain its momentum, while San Jose will venture into this match desperately seeking their first victory of the season.
ONE-TIMERS
- Tonight marks the second in a stretch of four consecutive matchups against Pacific Division rivals for the Utah Hockey Club.
- Logan Cooley found the back of the net for the first time this season during Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings.
- Team captain Clayton Keller is currently leading the squad with an impressive nine points, which includes five goals and four assists.
- Utah has experienced a thrilling start to the season, with four of their matches having extended into overtime—an NHL high so far.
- Center Nick Bjugstad made his highly anticipated Utah Hockey Club debut last Saturday against Los Angeles after recovering from injury.
TONIGHT’S MATCHUP
The San Jose Sharks are in search of their elusive first win of the season. Despite their winless record, they have shown resilience, coming close in numerous games, with six of their nine losses being by a margin of two goals or fewer. The Sharks have largely played without the first overall pick of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, Macklin Celebrini, who made an impactful debut with a goal and an assist on Oct. 10 but has been sidelined since due to a week-to-week lower body injury.
WHO TO WATCH
UTAH: #92 LOGAN COOLEY – Cooley, a promising talent from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, netted his first goal of the season in the third period against Los Angeles last Saturday. After an impressive rookie campaign with Arizona where he scored 20 goals, Cooley is now contributing significantly with seven points this season (1G, 6A). He was selected third overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, showcasing his potential as a future star in the league.
SAN JOSE: #64 MIKAEL GRANLUND – A familiar face from his tenures with the Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators, Granlund is currently leading the Sharks in scoring during his second year with the team. Hailing from Oulu, Finland, he has amassed 10 points (4G, 6A) through nine games, with an impressive scoring streak of four goals in his last three outings.
LOOK BACK
Last Saturday, Utah faced a challenging game, succumbing to their third straight defeat in a tightly contested matchup against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. LA’s Joel Edmundson recorded a personal milestone with his first two-goal game, while Utah’s Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley found the net in the losing effort. Connor Ingram performed admirably in goal, stopping 20 of the 23 shots directed his way.
NICK BJUGSTAD
Nick Bjugstad made a significant return to the lineup for the Utah Hockey Club last Saturday, marking his first appearance of the season after sidelining eight games due to an upper body injury. Last season, he tallied 22 goals with the Arizona Coyotes, highlighting his scoring ability. The 32-year-old from Minneapolis, Minnesota reunited with former teammates Lawson Crouse and Matias Maccelli on the ice on Saturday, aiming to reignite their successful chemistry from the previous season.
FIRST-ROUND PICKS
Utah’s lineup featured a remarkable nine first-round picks from various NHL Drafts during Saturday’s game. The freshest talents to step onto the ice for Utah include Logan Cooley, selected third overall in 2022, and Maveric Lamoureux, picked 29th in the same year, both representatives of the Arizona Coyotes. On the other side, the Sharks showcased six former first-round picks in their game against the Vegas Golden Knights last Saturday, illustrating the level of talent on both teams.
LOOK AHEAD
The Utah Hockey Club is poised for another exciting matchup at Delta Center on Wednesday, where they will make history by facing the Calgary Flames, who currently hold a record of 5-2-1. As it stands, Calgary occupies third place in the Pacific Division and will be looking to bounce back after suffering losses in their last two outings.
**Interview with Utah Hockey Club Head Coach, Sarah Johnson**
**Editor:** Good evening, Coach Johnson! Tonight, the Utah Hockey Club is taking on the San Jose Sharks. With your team currently at a 4-4-1 record and coming off three consecutive losses, what’s the mindset heading into this matchup?
**Coach Johnson:** Good evening! We’ve had a tough stretch, but I’m confident in our guys. We’ve been focusing on our fundamentals and keeping our spirits high. Tonight’s game is crucial for us to regroup and showcase what we can do. We need to be the aggressive team we know we can be.
**Editor:** The Sharks are having a rough season, still searching for their first win. How do you approach a team that’s struggling yet still looking to break through?
**Coach Johnson:** We can’t underestimate them. Every team in the NHL has talent, and the Sharks have shown resilience in their games. It’s important for us to stay disciplined and not let their record fool us. We’re preparing for a fight, and we have to treat each game, including this one, as an opportunity to improve our game.
**Editor:** Logan Cooley made an impressive move by scoring his first goal of the season last Saturday. How important has his contribution been, especially with the absence of key players like Nick Bjugstad?
**Coach Johnson:** Logan’s development has been wonderful to see. He has a natural talent and the ability to create scoring opportunities. His first goal was a big boost for both him and the team. With Nick coming back, we’re excited to see how they can work together on the ice. Their chemistry could be pivotal in tonight’s game.
**Editor:** What can fans look forward to in tonight’s game in terms of strategy?
**Coach Johnson:** We aim to play a fast-paced game with strong forechecking. We want to control the tempo and generate as many scoring chances as possible while tightening our defense. If we stay focused and play our game, I believe we can come out on top.
**Editor:** Lastly, who else should fans keep an eye on during tonight’s game?
**Coach Johnson:** Definitely watch for our captain, Clayton Keller. He’s been our leading scorer and is crucial in setting the tone. Fans should also keep an eye on Mikael Granlund from the Sharks. He’s been on a scoring streak and is always a threat on the ice. It should be an exciting matchup!
**Editor:** Thank you, Coach Johnson. We wish you and the team a great game tonight at the Delta Center!
**Coach Johnson:** Thank you! We appreciate the support, and we hope to make our fans proud tonight!
**Coach Johnson:** Logan’s goal was a huge confidence boost for him and the team. He brings a lot of energy and skill to the ice, and we’ve needed that, especially with Bjugstad just returning from injury. Every contribution counts, and Logan’s ability to score and create opportunities will be key for us tonight. We’re looking for him to lead by example and continue to build on that momentum.
**Editor:** Speaking of Nick Bjugstad, how has his return affected team dynamics and the overall performance on the ice?
**Coach Johnson:** Nick’s presence is felt immediately. He has that veteran experience and knows how to elevate the play of those around him. Having him back in the lineup not only strengthens our offensive capabilities but also brings a level of camaraderie that boosts team morale. It’s crucial for us to integrate him fully as we continue to rebuild our confidence.
**Editor:** With four of your games extending into overtime, fans must be excited about the competitive nature of the team. How do you maintain that intensity without burning out your players throughout the season?
**Coach Johnson:** It’s all about balance. We push our players to give their all in each game, but it’s just as important to manage their energy levels during practices and games. We ensure our training is designed to optimize their performance without overstressing them. Proper recovery and mental breaks are vital to keep our team fresh and ready for the tight contests we’re seeing.
**Editor:** Lastly, looking ahead, the matchup against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday is shaping up to be another exciting game. What’s your strategy for facing a team that comes in with a strong record?
**Coach Johnson:** Our strategy will remain consistent — focus on our game plan, work on our communication, and stay disciplined. We’ll study their plays, understand their strengths, and find ways to exploit any weaknesses. Each game is a stepping stone, and we need to stay focused on each challenge as we aim to build momentum throughout the season.
**Editor:** Thank you, Coach Johnson! Best of luck tonight against the Sharks and in the upcoming matches!
**Coach Johnson:** Thank you! We appreciate the support and look forward to bringing home a win!