The Utah Hockey Club has come out of the gates strong in its inaugural season, earning victories in its first two games. Advanced NHL EDGE statistics show that this fast start may not be a fluke, with signs pointing to a potential playoff berth down the road.
With a combination of speed, depth across three solid forward lines, and a promising young core inherited from the Arizona Coyotes, Utah has positioned itself for early success. One of the standout metrics is their speed: through two games, Utah ranks second in the League with 55 bursts of over 20 mph, trailing only the Buffalo Sabres (69 in three games). Forward Dylan Guenther is a key contributor, tied for fifth in this category with eight speed bursts, and has been efficient in his scoring, leading the NHL with four goals on just eight shots in the team’s two victories over the Chicago Blackhawks (5-2) and the New York Islanders (5-4 in overtime).
Other key forwards, including Nick Schmaltz, Barrett Hayton, Clayton Keller, and rookie Josh Doan, have also shown impressive speed. Schmaltz ranks in the 91st percentile for skating speed at 21.88 mph, while Hayton has contributed six speed bursts, ranking in the 96th percentile.
The team’s speed has led to increased zone entries and high-quality scoring chances, with Utah ranking tied for third in the NHL in high-danger shots on goal (18) and second in high-danger goals (four), just behind the New York Rangers (six). Hayton has been particularly effective, ranking second in high-danger shots with four and tied for the most high-danger goals (two).
Utah’s offensive attack extends to midrange areas as well. They are tied for fourth in midrange shots (18) and share the league lead in midrange goals (four) with the New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins. Guenther has been prominent in these areas too, tied for third in midrange shots on goal (seven) and tied for the most midrange goals (two), alongside teammates Lawson Crouse and Anze Kopitar. Guenther’s range was further showcased when he scored a long-range goal—an accomplishment not often seen from forwards, with players like David Pastrnak and Alex Ovechkin leading the League in long-range goals last season with just four each.
On the defensive side, Utah boasts two players with impressive shot speeds: Michael Kesselring leads the NHL with a blistering 97.19 mph shot, while Mikhail Sergachev, a key offseason acquisition from the Tampa Bay Lightning, sits fifth at 93.38 mph. Kesselring also leads the League with two shots over 90 mph in the first week of the season.
Despite the strong offensive performance, there is a concern in goal. Starting netminder Connor Ingram has faced the most high-danger shots in the NHL (18), though he has stopped 13 of them, ranking tied for second in high-danger saves behind Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers. Ingram’s high-danger save percentage of .722 is below the league average (.790), but given his solid track record from last season, when he finished sixth in the category (.833 in 50 games), there’s reason to believe he can improve as the season progresses.
If Utah can maintain its offensive efficiency while tightening up defensively, they have the EDGE stats needed to compete for a wild-card spot in the Western Conference this season.
