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Battle in the Mountains: Can the Dallas Stars Sweep the Utah Mammoth in Their Final Showdown? 2026

By Riley Adams

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Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars visit the Delta Center tonight aiming for a fourth straight win. Discover if Jason Robertson and the Stars can overcome the fierce Utah Mammoth in this high-stakes Central Division clash!

The Central Division is heating up as we approach the final stretch before the Olympic break, and tonight’s matchup in Salt Lake City is the crown jewel of the weekend. The Dallas Stars are rolling into the Delta Center with a ton of momentum, looking to extend their current winning streak and prove they are the class of the division. Meanwhile, the Utah Mammoth are hungry to defend their home ice and settle the season series once and for all.

Game Day Preview: Stars vs. Mammoth

FeatureDetails
MatchupDallas Stars at Utah Mammoth
VenueDelta Center, Salt Lake City
Stars Record31-14-9 (Central Division)
Mammoth Record28-22-4 (Central Division)
Season SeriesTied 1-1
Stars Key PlayerJason Robertson (30 Goals, 33 Assists)
Mammoth Key PlayerClayton Keller (16 Goals, 34 Assists)

The Dallas Stars’ Winning Formula

The Dallas Stars haven’t just been winning lately; they’ve been winning with flair. During their current three-game streak, the Stars have mastered the art of the third-period comeback. Whether it’s Jason Robertson’s last-minute heroics or Matt Duchene’s offensive outbursts, this team simply refuses to quit when the clock starts winding down.

In their most recent outing, the Dallas Stars emerged from a wild 5-4 shootout victory against the Vegas Golden Knights. Despite giving up a late lead, the composure shown by Mavrik Bourque and the rock-solid goaltending of Jake Oettinger secured the extra point. Head coach Glen Gulutzan has praised his team’s “stick-to-it-iveness,” noting that in a league full of comebacks, being comfortable in tight games is the ultimate competitive advantage.

Utah Mammoth: Defending the Delta Center

Don’t let their recent slip-up against Carolina fool you—the Utah Mammoth are a force to be reckoned with. Before their heart-wrenching 5-4 loss on Thursday, where they allowed three goals in the final two minutes, Utah had won six of their previous seven games. That run included a gritty 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars right here in Salt Lake City.

Coach André Tourigny was blunt about the team’s need for “patience over passivity.” For the Utah Mammoth to win tonight, they need Karel Vejmelka to continue his elite form in net. Vejmelka currently leads the league in wins and has been the backbone of this expansion-era franchise. With star winger Dylan Guenther leading the team in goals, Utah has the firepower to match Dallas shot for shot.

A Central Division Rivalry Reborn

This is the third meeting of the season between these two squads, and the intensity has ramped up with every game. The Dallas Stars took the first contest 4-3 at home, while the Utah Mammoth evened the score in their last meeting. With the overall series standing at 4-2-0 in favor of Dallas since the team moved to Utah, every game feels like a battle for regional dominance.

The battle on the blue line will be just as critical as the scoring. For the Dallas Stars, the return of veterans and the depth of their defensive pairings have allowed them to weather storms. For the Utah Mammoth, players like John Marino and Mikhail Sergachev have brought a physical, “no-nonsense” identity to the team that makes them incredibly difficult to play against in a seven-game series environment.

Special Teams and Key Matchups

The Dallas Stars currently boast one of the top power plays in the NHL, converting at a staggering 29.8% clip. If Utah gets into penalty trouble, Robertson and Mikko Rantanen will make them pay. However, the Utah Mammoth have a penalty kill that has remained robust at 80%, often using their speed to create shorthanded chances of their own.

Keep an eye on the “Russian connection” for Utah—Logan Cooley and JJ Peterka have shown flashes of brilliance that can flip a game in seconds. If the Dallas Stars can neutralize Utah’s top line early, they will be well on their way to that fourth consecutive victory.

Conclusion: Who Comes Out on Top?

Tonight’s game is more than just two points in the standings; it’s a statement of intent. The Dallas Stars want to prove they are legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, while the Utah Mammoth want to show the world that Salt Lake City is a fortress. With both teams coming off high-scoring, emotional games, expect a fast-paced, physical battle from the opening puck drop. If the Dallas Stars can maintain their third-period magic, they might just skate away with the win, but the Utah Mammoth have already shown they know exactly how to beat this Dallas team.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What time is the Stars vs. Mammoth game tonight?

The game is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET (7 p.m. local time in Salt Lake City).

2. Where can I watch the Dallas Stars play the Utah Mammoth?

You can catch the action on ESPN+ for out-of-market viewers, or locally on Utah 16 and Victory+.

3. Who is the leading scorer for the Dallas Stars this season?

Jason Robertson currently leads the Dallas Stars with 63 points, including 30 goals and 33 assists through 53 games.

4. How have the Utah Mammoth performed against the Stars recently?

The season series is tied at 1-1. The Utah Mammoth won the most recent meeting 2-1 on January 15, while the Stars won the first matchup 4-3.

5. Are there any major injuries for either team?

As of game day, the Dallas Stars and Utah Mammoth have no major injuries listed on their active rosters, though Dylan Guenther is a player to watch after missing time earlier in the week.

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