By james art 
Salt Lake City – Despite the back of the back goal in the third period, the Utah hockey club again lost in the overtime as they allowed the Blue Jackets of Columbus to steal a victory on the road. Faced with familiar struggles, Utah’s chances of making the playoffs are in danger of slipping if the results remain the same.
Here are the key absorptions from Utah’s loss to the blue jackets.
Matthias McChelli reacts well to his scratch with a game with solid efforts against Columbus
After sitting against the Pittsburgh penguins as a healthy scratch, Matthias McCelli returned against Columbus with renewed energy and despair.
Tourigny on Maccelli is a scratch tonight:
“We will keep this internally. This is the coach’s decision. “
– Cole Bagley (@bagleykslsports) January 29, 2025
While the Tourgin coach did not go into detail why McCelli was scratched the next night, it was just a rough year for the 24-year-old striker.
Although it ended last season with 57 points (third most in the team) and a huge 40 assist (second most in the team), McChelli managed only 17 points for Utah.
In general, it is up-to-date to complete the 2024-25 campaign with only 27 points, which is 52 percent compared to the year.
With such immersion in production, McCheli played a rather not inspired hockey over the bigger part of the season, as he struggled to create, did not find his teammates almost as often, he turned the washer in bad areas and rarely played with constant effort.
However, against Columbus, McCheli looked more like her previous self, as he asked for the washer, fighting hard, moving for the purpose and setting his teammates in several dangerous chances.
Based on the early return, this scratch was good for Maccelli.
He plays with much more decisive energy. He wants the washer and was ruthless in the attack.
– Cole Bagley (@bagleykslsports) February 1, 2025
Until he drives, this is the kind of effort that McCelli should carry every night.
“He played with an edge and was confident and I liked him,” said chief coach Andre Turini. “Whatever it was, it was a great game. He can give you the answer to what he feels and what he thinks, but I really like his game. “
He can be a truly dangerous player when he decides to be, and the team will need more than him with Dylan Gunter and Logan Cooley out.
It’s just unacceptable the way the Utah hockey club continues to lose close games at home
A different day, the same result for the hockey club in Utah as they blew up another late lead at home and managed to get out with a point only.
Utah this right!
Z it ends in ot💥@Fanaticsbook | #Cbj pic.twitter.com/jwijpyq7u4
– Columbus blue jackets (@bluejacketsnhl) February 1, 2025
Despite the overtaking of Columbus 33-23, healing them 23-19, winning nearly 62 percent of the face and leading 2-0 at the beginning of the third, Utah managed to lose again in front of the home crowd.
The problem? Expensive speeds and another series of crashes that eventually descended into three goals unanswered by Columbus.
“Even after the first period, we talked about how we didn’t do many really good things in the game,” explained Columbus Blue Jackets Chief Coach Dean Evassia.
“They competed to us in all areas, but it was only 1-0. We have been hanging out enough to allow us to find these few vacations and work for these few breaks and we did it. “
As Evson pointed, Utah was legally dominant in the game early.
However, as they did many times before, Utah took off her guards, refused to respond, and allowed the opponent’s team back into it.
Brands puts us on the board! 🚨@Fanaticsbook | #Cbj pic.twitter.com/jkt4hgzyxb
– Columbus blue jackets (@bluejacketsnhl) February 1, 2025
Although the injuries have certainly played a role in the woes of Utah, this does not yet justify the consistent model of blowing up late leading at home.
At one point, something has to change. Someone must redirect their emotions and frustrations in a way that ignites fire for the group.
If not, this summer vacation will come early for this team.
Utah should start asking two points or that playoffs window to close quickly
Despite the loss, Utah actually managed to move up into the standings, asking for one point and somehow is still only six points behind the flames in Calgary for a place with Wild Card.
However, claiming only two points in the last two games, instead of four and nine common losses from this season, Utah just didn’t do enough to help himself in a narrow race.
Of course, one point is still positive, but imagine if they have won five of these nine losses and have hung in a few late waters, not blowing them.
At the moment, they would be on the spot for Wild Card and be prepared for even more impetus after the four Nations tournament with Dylan Gunter and Sean Ribs, which are approaching.
Fortunately on Utah, everything is not yet lost at this moment. They are still in the race, but this window will close quickly if they do not start collecting some wins together.
“Yes, for sure. There is never doubt in this room. Many games remain during the season. This year we have become hot and takes a game or two and your confidence is at a high level, “Keller said.
“You are shaking some victories that may not be. We just have to stay confident and continue. As I said, there are many games left and then we have to play the best of ourselves, this is the last game. “
Keller, if teams believe they can still make playoffs:
“Certainly, there is never a doubt in this room.”
“There are many games left during the season. This year we got hot … we just have to stay confident and continue. ” pic.twitter.com/ddw6ug9b0m
– Cole Bagley (@bagleykslsports) February 1, 2025
As Keller said, there is still time and according to him the team still believes.
But now a significant change has to happen or it just won’t matter.
Then for the hockey club in Utah
The Utah hockey club will host St. Louis’s blues on Sunday afternoon. The game can be watched on SEG+. Fans can also be adjusted to the KSL sports app or 97.5 and 1280 zone. Click here for the full schedule.
Cole Bagley is Utah’s Internal Hockey Club for KSL Sports. Continue with it on X here. You can hear Cole breaking the team in the KSL and KSL 5 TV sports area.
Take us with you wherever you go.
Download the new and enhanced KSL sports app by the Sports Leader of Utah. You can transmit radio live, video and be up to all your favorite teams.