Schmaltz scores twice as Mammoth ground Jets 5-3

Utah Mammoth players celebrate a goal by centre Nick Schmaltz (8) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Nick Schmaltz scored twice as the Utah Mammoth beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-3 on Tuesday night and secured the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Schmaltz scored his first goal for the Mammoth 4:54 into the second period on the power play, assisted by Mikhail Sergachev and Dylan Guenther. He added a power-play goal 7:16 into the third, assisted by Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller.

JJ Peterka, Alexander Kerfoot and Cooley also scored for the Mammoth. Karel Vejmelka made 21 saves in the win for the Mammoth.

Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor each had a goal and an assist for the Jets, while Isak Rosen added a single. Gabriel Vilardi added two assists, and Eric Comrie had 31 saves for the Jets, who lost a third straight.

The Mammoth will face the winner of the Pacific Division in the first round of the playoffs, either the Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers or Anaheim Ducks.

UP NEXT

Jets: Host the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.

Mammoth: Host the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.