Utah Mammoth Defeated LA Kings 6-3
The Utah Mammoth secured a 6-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings during Monday night's NHL preseason game.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Hockey
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The Utah Mammoth defeated the Los Angeles Kings 6-3 at Crypto.com Arena, dropping the Kings to a 0-2 record in the 2026 preseason. Utah built an early lead that the Kings were unable to overcome throughout the match.
Why it matters
Preseason games serve as a critical evaluation period for NHL teams as they finalize rosters and adjust to new line combinations ahead of the regular season. For the Kings, the loss marks another hurdle in early preparations before upcoming regular-season competition.
The Utah Mammoth held a two-goal lead after the first period and secured the victory with a late empty-net goal. The Kings finished the contest with a 0-2 record for the current preseason period.
The players
Brandt Clarke
He is a defenseman for the Los Angeles Kings who scored the team's first goal during the preseason contest.
Adrian Kempe
He is a professional forward for the Los Angeles Kings who provided the shot that led to the first goal.
Karol Vejmelka
He is an NHL goaltender who faced the Utah Mammoth offense during the September 22 preseason game.
Clayton Keller
He is a forward for the Utah Mammoth who contributed one of the team's six goals in the victory.
Los Angeles Kings
They are a professional hockey team based in Los Angeles that competes in the National Hockey League.
The details
Daniil But and Clayton Keller opened the scoring for Utah before Brandt Clarke netted the Kings' first goal by deflecting an Adrian Kempe shot past Karol Vejmelka. Despite second-period goals from Nick Schmaltz and Anders Lee for Utah, and Martin Chromiak for the Kings, Utah pulled away in the third period with a goal from Liam O'Brien.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: The LA Kings hosted the Utah Mammoth at Crypto.com Arena.
September 23, 2026: The Kings are scheduled to face the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center.
Season Trajectory
This game reflects the standard operational rhythm of the 2026 NHL preseason roster evaluation protocols as teams test new player pairings. These results help coaches determine the final depth chart for the regular season and influence immediate trade market decisions.
The 0-2 preseason record indicates that the Kings are still experimenting with defensive pairings and offensive execution before the regular season begins. Fans should watch the roster rotation in the upcoming game against the Anaheim Ducks to gauge who secures a starting spot.
The takeaway
Preseason results provide necessary data for coaching staffs to evaluate depth and chemistry. Readers should note that early outcomes are secondary to player development and tactical adjustments ahead of the official season opener.
What happens next
The Kings are scheduled to continue their preseason preparations against the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center on September 23, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the team's progress, visit Los Angeles Hockey.
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