COLUMBUS, Ohio - Dylan Guenther has been everything the doctor ordered for Utah Hockey Club after the forward's second consecutive overtime game-winner. Utah overcame an early deficit to avenge last week's loss to Columbus with a 3-2 win.
Utah HC (23-22-9, 55 points) is in the Buckeye State to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (26-21-8, 60 points) at Nationwide Arena on Thursday, February 6. Columbus sits one point out of an Eastern Conference Wild Card spot. Utah is fourth in the Western Conference Wild Card chase, six points behind Calgary.
Utah seeks revenge after the Blue Jackets stormed back from two goals down to force overtime before stealing the win in overtime.
There was a flurry of activity in the final seconds. Columbus looked to have a chance at the game-winner, but Connor Ingram skated high out of the net to play the puck before the Blue Jackets could get there. Ingram launched a pass off the boards and down the ice, finding Guenther just beyond the blue line.
Guenther skated free and had his first look stopped by Elvis Merzlikins. The rebound bounced back to Guenther, who flipped into the back of the net. Ingram is credited with the assist.
The third-year forward returned from a lower-body injury two games ago and has been a difference-maker offensively. Guenther has a career-high 19 goals this season.
As of right now, the Utah Hockey Club is currently six points out of the final wild-card spot behind the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks.
So, while Utah is not out of the race by any means, they would have to play near-perfect hockey over the next 29 games and win at least 19 to have a legitimate shot.
It's not impossible, but it's challenging, especially considering the fact that Sean Durzi and Logan Cooley won't be reevaluated until after Four Nations.
"(Tonight's win) was absolutely huge," Utah head coach Andre Tourigny said after the win over Philadelphia. "We still very much believe. We don't look at scores elsewhere, but we know Calgary lost. We know Vancouver is up by one after two."
"The point is...we know at this point we'll need a bit of help (to make the playoffs). We didn't take the straight line. But we can make it and we'll fight for it. Now we'll need to go on the road and have a helluva road trip."
Utah Hockey Club games can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on the KSL Sports app or 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
Cole Bagley is the Utah Hockey Club insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. Listen to Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
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Brian Preece is a KSLSports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian's Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X and Instagram at @bpreece24.