Nick Schmaltz scores overtime winner as Mammoth defeat Kings 4-3

SALT LAKE CITY — Nick Schmaltz showed why the front office extended his contract 11 days ago.

Schmaltz was the hero in overtime for the Mammoth Sunday after he scored the game-winning goal in overtime to defeat the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 and hand the Kings their 17th overtime loss of the season.

Los Angeles made a late push to tie the game in the third period, but Schmaltz's two-goal performance was the difference maker between two teams fighting for one of the two wild card positions in the Western Conference.

"Every game is going to be that way, and you got to be comfortable playing in those situations," Schmaltz said. "You've got to be able to make plays, you've got to want the puck. I think our guys did a great job of that."

Both teams' goalies faced a high dosage of shots, with Karel Vejmelka racking up 33 saves and shaking off a late goal from Artemi Panarin to hold the Kings in check in overtime.

"The way they scored the third goal, the way our team reacted to it, that for me showed how determined we were," Mammoth head coach Andre Tourigny said. "Did not shake us, did not put a doubt in our head. Obviously, it's not what we wanted, but it did not have an effect on us where we were deflated."

Sunday's was the type of game that helped prep a team for the playoffs; and for a team like Utah who has yet to taste the Stanley Cup playoffs, it also is a new experience for those who were with the team in Arizona.

"It's way more fun playing these games than knowing you're going to tee it up at the end of April," Schmaltz said. "Super exciting to be in this position that we put ourselves in, and we've got some work to do left, but we put ourselves in a good spot."

Schmaltz continues to reach new heights in scoring this season. After adding two goals to his career-high mark of 26, he has now tied his career-high of points in a season with 63.

"I think what I am most impressed about Schmaltz this year is the workload he had to take," Tourigny said. "Playing against the first pairing of (defenseman) every night, top four in the PK, first power play, big minutes, and being able to be consistent and produce. The way he contributes in every aspect of the game, plus making the transition as a center was even more demanding physically. I think all of that is really impressive."

If there was any indicator for how the game would play out, the first period showed what type of game it would be Sunday. The two teams traded four goals over a three-minute stretch, with Lawson Crouse netting two for Utah to pick up 3 points in the win.

John Marino helped set up the first goal for Crouse as he fought to gain control of the puck in the Kings' offensive zone before he dropped a pass off to Crouse who scored from right in front of the net, beating Los Angeles goaltender Darcy Kuemper.

The Kings answered almost immediately with a breakaway chance. Quinton Byfield scooped up the loose puck and passed it to Alex Laferriere, who fired a snap shot past Vejmelka.

Crouse scored his second goal of the period on a one-timer after Alex Kerfoot's backhand pass found Crouse near the net, once again, minutes later.

Los Angeles answered even faster the second time around on Byfield's goal after his shot beat Vejmelka, who came too far out of the net to cover the puck. The Kings scored 36 seconds after Crouse's first goal and then 28 seconds after his second.

Schmaltz broke the deadlock near the end of the second period after he stole the puck from Brian Dumoulin near the Kings' crease and fired a shot past Kuemper to give Utah the lead. It was Schmaltz's first goal since he signed an eight-year extension on March 11.

"I feel like the last couple games, we've been generating more and trying to shoot the puck more," he said. "Sometimes they go in, sometimes they don't."

The Mammoth did not put themselves behind with multiple penalties like they did on Friday, with no penalties through the first two periods. Each team failed to take advantage of the one power play they had, but Los Angeles didn't need its late man advantage to tie the game up once again.

After the Mammoth successfully killed off the Kings' penalty, Panarin shot the puck toward Vejmelka, and it went through his legs and into the net.

Utah wasn't rattled by the goal, though. Despite failing to score before the end of regulation, the Mammoth took advantage of the first and only breakaway of overtime with Schmaltz's game-winner.

"Guys are super competitive," Schmaltz said. "Everyone wants to push their team into the playoffs, so guys are fighting for their lives out there. It's a lot of fun, a lot of competitiveness, a lot of stuff after the whistles."

Utah took the first of two matchups against Los Angeles this week with the second tilt coming Saturday. The Mammoth have 11 games remaining and five of them coming against Western Conference teams looking to secure a playoff spot.

"The belief we have in ourselves against anybody," Tourigny said. "We respect our opponent. We know every night we have we can win."

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