Clayton Keller made his 600th NHL game one to remember, notching two goals and two assists to lead Utah Hockey Club to a commanding 7-3 win over the Nashville Predators on Monday night.
With nine different players contributing on the scoresheet, Utah earned its fourth win in five games and kept its late-season momentum rolling.
“I still feel like I just left college,” Keller said with a grin. “The passion is still there. I love being at the rink with the guys every day. I’m thankful for everyone who’s helped me along the way.”
Head coach André Tourigny praised his captain’s leadership: “Keller’s been everything we hoped for and more wearing the ‘C.’ He’s driven, competitive, and never satisfied. He just keeps pushing.”
Villalta’s Dream Debut
Making his NHL debut, goalie Matt Villalta turned aside 27 shots and picked up his first career win in net for Utah.
“It’s what you dream of as a kid,” Villalta said. “Getting the win with this group of guys—just unreal. I’ll never forget it.”
The 25-year-old goaltender plans to give the game puck to his grandmother, who has a special collection of his career milestones.
A Wild One in Nashville
Nashville struck first with a power-play goal by Ryan O’Reilly just minutes into a 5-on-3 advantage, but Utah responded fast and hard.
Michael Kesselring tied things up with a beautiful read-and-go play, jumping into space and beating Juuse Saros for his seventh goal of the year. Nick Bjugstad made it 2-1 late in the first, tipping in a shot through heavy traffic.
Logan Cooley extended the lead early in the second with a slick goal just minutes after returning from an elbow he took in the first period. A failed coach’s challenge by Nashville gave Utah a power play—and they wasted no time.
Nick Schmaltz scored on the 5-on-3, hitting the 20-goal mark for the fourth straight season. The Preds fired back with two quick goals from Luke Evangelista and Michael Bunting to make it 4-3, but an ice issue led to an early intermission break.
Tourigny didn’t mind the interruption: “I think it helped us reset. We were better afterward.”
Keller Takes Over
In the third, Keller took control. He restored Utah’s two-goal cushion with a sharp-angle shot after regaining a broken-up pass. He later buried an empty-netter—his 28th of the season—to put the game away. Kevin Stenlund added the exclamation mark, scoring with 25 seconds left.
With his four-point night, Keller reached a new career high with 89 points on the year, including his first-ever 60-assist season.
“I couldn’t ask for more from him,” Tourigny said. “He leads by example and lifts everyone around him.”
Other Highlights
- Alexander Kerfoot had a season-best three assists.
- Schmaltz hit a new personal best with 62 points (20 goals, 43 assists).
- Utah’s defense has been finding the net consistently—Kesselring’s goal makes it three out of the last four games that a blueliner has scored.
- The power play is red-hot, going 11-for-22 over the past six games.
What’s Next?
Utah closes out its inaugural season Tuesday night in St. Louis against the Blues. With playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the team will look to ride its recent surge one last time.
Your daily dose of sports action starts at DanredSports.com—where passion meets reporting!