The Utah Mammoth face the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, aiming to secure two crucial points to reach a .500 record. Despite the excitement of playing in the iconic arena, the team remains focused on performance amid a challenging road trip. The Rangers, fresh off a Winter Classic win, host the game as they work to improve their Eastern Conference standing.
The Utah Mammoth (19-20-3) conclude their New York road trip against the New York Rangers (20-18-5) at 7 p.m. ET on January 5, 2026, at Madison Square Garden. Built in 1968, the arena is the Rangers' home and features 11 team banners, including three Eastern Conference championships and the 1994 Stanley Cup victory. The Mammoth, coming off a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils, sit at 1-1-0 on the trip after a hat-trick performance by Dylan Guenther against the Islanders. A win would give them a 2-1-0 trip record and start their seven-game homestand positively.
Head coach André Tourigny, with a 1-3-0 record at MSG—including a 6-5 overtime victory last season led by Clayton Keller—emphasizes the importance of the game. "For me, we play the Rangers, and it’s a big game for us," Tourigny said. "We need it. We need two points. It’s a business trip."
Players acknowledge the arena's allure but prioritize execution. Defenseman Ian Cole noted, "It is a very famous arena... Ultimately, the game’s still the same. We need to concentrate on how we play. We need to figure out how to play our best game and do it more consistently." Forward Dylan Guenther, who has five goals in his last three games against New York teams, expressed enthusiasm: "It’s unreal... It’s important that we end it on a good note."
Defenseman Nick DeSimone added, "It’s a historic spot, sweet arena... At the end of the day, we’re all professionals, and we need to worry about what’s important in our game."
The Rangers enter after a 5-1 Winter Classic win over the Florida Panthers but struggle at home with a 5-10-3 record at MSG. Owner James Dolan recently reaffirmed support for president and general manager Chris Drury, stating, "Chris Drury is a winner and competitor." Dolan urged patience as new coach Mike Sullivan instills a team culture following last season's playoff miss.
Projected Mammoth lines include Clayton Keller with Nick Schmaltz and Lawson Crouse on the top line, and Dylan Guenther with Barrett Hayton and J.J. Peterka on the second. Karel Vejmelka is expected in net. For the Rangers, Artemi Panarin centers with Mika Zibanejad and Will Cuylle, with Igor Shesterkin starting.
