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SALT LAKE CITY — The temperature outside the Delta Center on Monday night was below freezing.
Inside, where the 200-by-85-foot sheet of ice was laid, wasn't much warmer. The Utah Hockey Club's offense, however, was red hot.
Facing Connor Hellebuyck — the league's most dominant goaltender this season — Utah poked holes in what had been a brick wall all year, cracking Winnipeg's net wide open.
Hellebuyck entered Monday's matchup with a .929 save percentage, a 1.97 goals-against average, and 28 wins — six of which have been shutouts. If the season ended today, he'd be a lock for the Hart Trophy as the league's Most Valuable Player.
None of that mattered Monday night.
So, what went right?
Speaking after the game, Utah players and staff pointed to a simple but effective strategy: take away Hellebuyck's ability to see clean looks at the puck.
"You know what you're going to get when you play them — he's one of the best goalies in the world right now," said forward Josh Doan, who notched two assists in the victory. "I think on all our goals, it was about getting bodies in front of the net."
Doan also credited quick puck movement, referencing a third-period highlight where Utah completed a crisp, ticky-tack passing play to extend the lead. Barrett Hayton dished to Doan, who fed Matias Maccelli for a finish that made it 4-0.
In fact, all five of Utah's goals came via assists, and Doan, Hayton, and Nick Schmaltz each logged multiple assists.
Clayton Keller's empty-netter with 2:05 remaining sealed the 5-2 win.
While Utah's ability to put the biscuit in Hellebuyck's basket was impressive, head coach André Tourigny noted the real challenge was breaking through Winnipeg's overall defensive structure.
"The problem with Hellebuyck is you have to go through the rest of the Jets to get to him," Tourigny said. "He's a really good goalie, but they're tough to play offensively against; they don't give much."
Still, Utah's offense found a way — despite missing its co-leading goal scorer, Dylan Guenther, and top defenseman, Mikhail Sergachev.
No Guenther? No Sergachev? No problem.
"I think everyone stepped up," Keller said, his face still bloody from taking a puck in the second period. "Credit to the guys. Those are two key players, but we're trying to do everything we can while they're out."
One of the biggest contributors in Guenther's absence has been Logan Cooley. The 20-year-old phenom scored his 15th goal of the season late in the second period with a highlight-reel-worthy move. On a two-on-one rush, Cooley fired a no-look shot into the top corner, freezing Hellebuyck. It marked his fourth straight game with a goal, the longest streak of his young career.
It was a night to remember for Utah, who closed out a seven-game home stand with back-to-back wins over St. Louis and Winnipeg. For Hellebuyck, however, it was a game to forget. The superstar goaltender allowed four or more goals for just the fifth time this season.
Should he still win MVP honors at season's end, Monday's performance might serve as a feather in the cap for Utah's offense.
