Wyatt Johnston’s Power-Play Goal Lifts Dallas Stars Over Utah Mammoth 4-3

Wyatt Johnston scored 28 seconds into a two-minute, five-on-three power play late in the second period to lift the Dallas Stars to a 4-3 win over the Utah Mammoth on Friday night.

Wyatt Johnston’s early goal during a crucial power play helped the Dallas Stars secure a 4-3 victory over the Utah Mammoth at American Airlines Center. The win marked the Stars' third consecutive victory and extended their strong recent form. The Utah Mammoth, facing a challenging six-game road trip start, struggled against Dallas' potent power play.

• Wyatt Johnston scored his NHL-leading 10th power-play goal during a 5-on-3 advantage, breaking a tied game late in the second period.
• Roope Hintz matched a career high by scoring in his fourth consecutive game; Jamie Benn and Jason Robertson also scored for Dallas.
• Jake Oettinger made 27 saves, earning his 11th win and solidifying his position near the top of NHL goaltender rankings.
• Logan Cooley, Kevin Rooney (in his Mammoth debut), and Jack McBain scored for Utah, who started a demanding six-game road trip.
• Mammoth captain Clayton Keller played with notable resilience, competing despite the sudden death of his father the day before the game.

Stars’ comeback effort driven by power play dominance

Late in the second period, the Dallas Stars were tied 3-3 with the Utah Mammoth when Wyatt Johnston quickly capitalized on a two-minute 5-on-3 power play. Scoring just 28 seconds into the advantage after a precise pass from Mikko Rantanen, Johnston’s goal proved pivotal in securing the victory for the Stars. This goal also marked Johnston’s 10th power-play goal of the season — the best in the NHL so far — demonstrating his critical role on Dallas’ special teams.

The Stars demonstrated resilience after falling behind 2-0 early, with goals from Roope Hintz, who extended his scoring streak to four games, and contributions from Jamie Benn and Jason Robertson, whose 12th goal in nine games further highlights his impressive form.

Mammoth’s early lead and fightback efforts

Utah came into the game strong, taking a 2-0 lead within the first 12 minutes. Logan Cooley opened scoring just 57 seconds into the match by finishing a two-on-one rush. Kevin Rooney, newly called up from the Tucson Roadrunners and making his Mammoth debut due to Barrett Hayton’s illness, added his first goal for the season midway through the opening period.

Despite lapsed momentum, the Mammoth fought back aggressively. Jack McBain scored late in the second period to tie the game 3-3. However, the Mammoth were unable to hold off Dallas’ late power-play surge.

Tough circumstances for Mammoth captain Clayton Keller

A poignant subplot of the game was the presence of Utah captain Clayton Keller. Playing just one day after the unexpected passing of his father, Bryan Keller, Clayton displayed remarkable emotional strength. He logged five shots on goal in just over 18 minutes and was named the first star of the game by Dallas—a gesture of respect and support from the opposing team.

Mammoth forward Lawson Crouse highlighted the emotional impact, praising Keller’s leadership both on and off the ice and emphasizing the team’s commitment to support him through this difficult time.

Special teams and late-game challenges for Utah

While Utah’s penalty kill had been among the best in the NHL during November, the team struggled on Friday against Dallas' powerful power play. Utah conceded two crucial power-play goals, including the decisive 5-on-3 goal by Johnston. Head coach André Tourigny acknowledged that special teams’ performance was a key factor in the narrow loss, underscoring the need for more consistency and finer detail execution to close out close games.

Despite pulling the goalie for a late-game effort to tie the match, Utah has yet to score a 6-on-5 goal in franchise history across 107 games — a statistic highlighting their ongoing challenge in clutch, high-pressure situations.

Additional notes and upcoming schedule

• Jake Oettinger’s 27-save performance scored him his 11th win, tying him for second place among NHL goaltenders.
• Miro Heiskanen celebrated his 500th NHL game with two assists, while Mikko Rantanen also contributed two assists.
• Dallas extended its winning streak to three games and their point streak to five (4-0-1), improving their overall record to 16-5-4.
• Utah falls to 12-10-3 as they continue their demanding six-game road trip, with Saturday’s next game set against the St. Louis Blues. Dallas will host Ottawa on Sunday night.

In-depth analysis: power play mastery and comeback dynamics

The Dallas Stars’ strong special teams were on full display in the game against Utah. Overcoming an early 2-0 deficit, Dallas showcased resilience and tactical execution, with particular emphasis on capitalizing during power-play opportunities. Johnston’s timely strike during the rare 5-on-3 situation underscored just how vital disciplined play is in pivotal moments.

Roope Hintz’s fourth consecutive goal underlined his rising offensive influence, supported by the steady contributions of Jamie Benn and emerging star Jason Robertson, whose scoring consistency continues to impress.

Coach Glen Gulutzan praised the team’s collective effort, especially acknowledging the leadership on the bench from veterans Benn and Mikko Rantanen, whose vocal presence helped energize the squad during a taxing schedule post-road trip.

Utah Mammoth’s resilience amidst adversity

Despite the loss, Utah’s early goal burst and refusal to relent even with a slimmer margin demonstrated the fighting spirit of the team. Rookie Kevin Rooney’s debut goal for the Mammoth was a bright spot, showing promise and adaptation even after his recent promotion from the minors.

Coach André Tourigny’s comments highlighted a subtle but crucial aspect: in a tight league, margins for error are razor-thin. The Mammoth’s failure to close out the tightest moments and capitalize on man-advantage situations revealed areas requiring urgent improvement, especially their penalty killing and late-game offensive execution.

Emotional leadership in sports: the story of Clayton Keller

Clayton Keller’s presence on the ice served as a profound testament to personal and professional dedication. Playing under the weight of recent family tragedy, Keller embodied the deep bonds and support systems prevalent within professional sports teams.

The communal respect from both teams, culminating in Keller being named the first star, reinforced the unifying power of sport beyond competition, as teams rally around their leaders in times of personal hardship.

Looking ahead: mammoth road challenges and stars’ momentum

With Utah embarking on a lengthy six-game road trip starting with a tough loss, the challenge will be maintaining competitive energy and refining execution, particularly in special teams play. The Blues game in St. Louis presents a backdrop of emotional complexity and high stakes.

For Dallas, maintaining momentum and capitalizing on their power-play strength will be essential as they host Ottawa next. Consistency from key players and reliable goaltending from Oettinger are likely to remain pillars for their continued success.

The game between Dallas Stars and Utah Mammoth offered a compelling mix of athletic skill, emotional fortitude, and strategic execution. Johnston’s leading power-play goal and the collective efforts of Dallas players secured a narrow but significant victory, while Utah's perseverance amidst difficult circumstances highlighted the human element of hockey competition.