Utah Mammoth Hold Out Dylan Guenther Ahead of Playoff Debut; Sean Durzi Status Uncertain

Key facts

• Dylan Guenther, 23, led the Utah Mammoth with 40 goals this season.
• Guenther missed only three games all year; the latest absence is for undisclosed reasons.
• Sean Durzi left a game against Winnipeg on April 14 after playing 9:46 and has an upper-body injury.
• Durzi missed time in the fall due to an upper-body issue and has played 60 games this season, averaging 19:16 per game.
• The Mammoth face the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round, their first playoff series in team history.
• Utah secured a playoff berth in its second season since relocating from Arizona.
• Guenther signed an eight-year contract with Utah on September 20, 2024.
• Guenther was the No. 9 pick by Arizona in the 2021 NHL Draft.

Playoff-Bound Mammoth Rest Key Players in Season Finale

The Utah Mammoth announced ahead of their final regular-season game against the St. Louis Blues that Dylan Guenther and Sean Durzi would not play. Guenther was held out for undisclosed reasons, while Durzi was listed with an upper-body injury. With the team locked into a first-round matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights, the game was inconsequential for Utah. The decision to rest both players reflects the team's focus on postseason readiness. Guenther, 23, has missed only three games all season. He is expected to be fully available for his playoff debut as a top-line winger.

Guenther’s Breakout Season and Contract Commitment

Guenther led the Mammoth with 40 goals this season, a breakout performance that underscores his importance to the franchise. The forward is in the first year of an eight-year contract he signed on September 20, 2024. Selected ninth overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2021 NHL Draft, Guenther played parts of two seasons in Arizona before the team relocated to Utah. He is now in his second full NHL season. “I think personally, I just have to continue to build, try to stay healthy and get a little bit better every day,” Guenther told NHL.com earlier this season. “Last year was my first full year, and now I understand the demands of the schedule and the mentality.”

Durzi’s Injury History Raises Questions for Game 1

Sean Durzi left Utah’s game against the Winnipeg Jets on April 14 after playing 9:46. The 27-year-old defenseman has been categorized as having an upper-body injury, though his status for Game 1 remains unknown. Durzi missed time earlier this fall due to an upper-body issue that landed him on injured reserve. He has played 60 games this season, averaging 19:16 per game, a dip from previous seasons. The defenseman last appeared in the playoffs three years ago as a member of the Los Angeles Kings. He will be eager to return to postseason action if cleared.

Mammoth’s Rapid Rise from Relocation to Playoff Contender

The Utah Mammoth have reached the playoffs in just their second season since moving from Arizona. The franchise underwent a complete rebrand, including a newly renovated arena and a stylish mascot, which helped generate positive energy around the team. Last season, Utah finished seven points behind the St. Louis Blues for the second wild card in the Western Conference, missing the postseason. The team learned from that near-miss. “We’ve gotten better every year I’ve been in the organization, so this year the goal is to make the playoffs,” Guenther said. “For us to do that, every game is big; it’s not just the ones in March, we have to win in October and November and make sure we come out ready.”

Vegas Golden Knights Present Formidable First-Round Test

The Mammoth will face the Vegas Golden Knights, a team that has found its stride under new head coach John Tortorella. The Golden Knights hold a 3-2 series lead after a 5-4 double-overtime win in Game 5, punctuated by a short-handed goal from Brett Howden. Utah won the first NHL playoff game in its history, a 4-2 victory in Game 3, and Logan Cooley scored late to even the series at 2-2 with a 3-2 win in Game 4. The series now shifts back to Vegas for Game 6. The dynamic young Mammoth roster presents a real challenge to the experienced Golden Knights, but Utah must navigate without full clarity on Durzi’s availability.

Injury Updates Across the Western Conference

Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar told reporters that he expects his team to be fully healthy for the playoffs. The Colorado Avalanche, soon to be Presidents’ Trophy winners, have dealt with injuries to Brock Nelson, Nazem Kadri, and Josh Manson, but all are expected to be ready for Game 1. Utah’s cautious approach with Guenther and Durzi mirrors a league-wide trend of teams prioritizing health over regular-season results when the postseason is secured. The Mammoth’s opponent and dates for the first round are still to be officially determined, but the team is preparing for a deep run.

Guenther’s Mindset: Building Consistency and Health

Guenther has emphasized the importance of staying healthy and managing the rigors of an 82-game season. He noted that he felt run down around Christmas and January last year and has adjusted his preparation accordingly. “If I feel good, I feel like I’m going to play well,” Guenther said. “I just have to make sure I take care of the things that maybe I didn’t understand or knew when I was younger.” With 40 goals already this season, Guenther has established himself as a core piece of Utah’s future. His playoff debut will be a key storyline as the Mammoth seek to extend their season beyond the first round.

The bottom line

• Dylan Guenther led the Mammoth with 40 goals this season and is expected to be ready for his playoff debut.
• Sean Durzi’s upper-body injury leaves his status for Game 1 uncertain; he has a history of similar issues.
• Utah reached the playoffs in its second season since relocating from Arizona, a rapid turnaround.
• The Mammoth face the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round, with the series tied 2-2 after Utah’s first home playoff win.
• Guenther signed an eight-year contract in September 2024, committing long-term to the franchise.
• The team’s cautious approach in the regular-season finale underscores its focus on postseason health.