The Utah Hockey Club is undefeated in regular season action. That streak probably won't last long, so I have to say it while I can.
The final score on Tuesday was 5-2, though that doesn't tell the whole story.
Utah HC got out to a 3-0 lead, but the Chicago Blackhawks clawed back to within one and then allowed an empty-net goal. Lawson Crouse followed that up with another late goal, rubbing salt in the Blackhawks' wound.
Despite his team's loss, Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno had great things to say about the Utah crowd.
"I thought it was electric. I thought it was great," he said. It's a big building. It's definitely loud and they're avid fans, so I give them a ton of credit. ... Hopefully that sustains all year long."
Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. Utah won 5-2. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Eric McKeon, of Cottonwood Heights, reacts after the Utah Hockey Club scored a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during a game held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Utah Hockey Club center Clayton Keller (9) and Chicago Blackhawks left wing Nick Foligno (17) pose as Utah Hockey Club co-owner Ashley Smith drops the ceremonial first puck and her husband and co-owner Ryan Smith watches, ahead of Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club center Barrett Hayton (27) and Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) face off in the first drop of the puck as Utah Hockey Club plays their inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club center Clayton Keller (9) celebrates a goal with his teammates, center Nick Schmaltz (8) and center Barrett Hayton (27), as they play in their inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. Utah won 5-2. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club center Liam O'Brien (38) skates onto the ice during player introductions in their inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Tuesday Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Fans celebrate the Utah Hockey Club's first goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during a game held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Utah Hockey Club right wing Dylan Guenther (11) makes his entrance before a game against the Chicago Blackhawks held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Utah Jazz power forward Lauri Markkanen fist-bumps Utah Hockey Club owner Ryan Smith as Markkanen delivers the game puck before a game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Utah Jazz power forward Lauri Markkanen delivers the game puck before a game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Utah Hockey Club players gather on the ice before a game against the Chicago Blackhawks held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Utah Hockey Club right wing Josh Doan (91) and Chicago Blackhawks right wing Joey Anderson (22) compete for possession of the puck during a game held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Utah Hockey Club center Barrett Hayton (27) and Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) compete for possession of the puck during a game held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Utah Hockey Club center Jack McBain (22) celebrates a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during a game held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Utah Hockey Club right wing Josh Doan (91) and Chicago Blackhawks center Philipp Kurashev (23) collide as they pursue the puck during a game held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Utah Hockey Club right wing Josh Doan (91) and Chicago Blackhawks right wing Joey Anderson (22) fall to the ice as they play in Utah's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Fans cheer at the start of the game in Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Fans cheer after Utah Hockey Club's second goal in the inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club goalie Connor Ingram (39) plays in Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Fans cheer after Utah Hockey Club's first goal in the inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. Utah won 5-2. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club left wing Matias Maccelli (63) skates across center ice as they play Chicago Blackhawks in Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. Utah won 5-2. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club left wing Matias Maccelli (63) chases Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones (4) during Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club center Clayton Keller (9) controls the puck as Utah Hockey Club plays its inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Chicago Blackhawks center Ryan Donato (8) and Utah Hockey Club right wing Dylan Guenther (11) battle for the puck as they play Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Tuesday Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club goalie Connor Ingram (39) blocks a shot as Utah Hockey Club plays its inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Fans clamor to purchase items from the team store as the Chicago Blackhawks and Utah Hockey Club play the inaugural game and season opener at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club center Barrett Hayton (27) tries to hook the puck into the goal with Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Alec Martinez (25) defending him during Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Fans cheer after the second Utah goal of Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Chicago Blackhawks right wing Ilya Mikheyev (95) checks Utah Hockey Club defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok (52) into the wall as they play in Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Lasers light up the ceiling and ice prior to the start of Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Lasers light up the ceiling and ice prior to the start of Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club goalie Connor Ingram (39) skates onto the ice during player introductions in Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club defenseman Sean Durzi (50) skates onto the ice during player introductions in Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
The crowd stands for the national anthem at Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Members of the Utah Hockey Club stand at center ice prior to their inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Tuesday Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club owners Ryan and Ashley Smith are joined by Utah Jazz player Lauri Markkanen at center ice ahead of the club's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Jazz' Lauri Markkanen, hands a puck to Utah Hockey Club owners Ashley and Ryan Smith at center ice ahead of the club's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Tuesday Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club right wing Lawson Crouse (67) battles Chicago Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson (16) for the puck as Utah Hockey Club plays in their inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. Utah won 5-2. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club owners Ryan and Ashley Smith are joined by Utah Jazz player Lauri Markkanen at center ice ahead of the club's inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club center Jack McBain (22) turns to celebrate Utah Hockey Club's first goal by teammate right wing Dylan Guenther (11) as Utah plays their inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club center Jack McBain (22) joins teammates defenseman Juuso Valimaki (4), right wing Dylan Guenther (11) and defenseman Michael Kesselring (7) after Utah Hockey Club's first goal in their inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Fans cheer after Utah Hockey Club's first goal in the inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Fans cheer after Utah Hockey Club's second goal in the inaugural game and season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
The ice crew grooms the ice during a game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Chicago Blackhawks held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Chicago Blackhawks left wing Taylor Hall (71) takes a shot on the goal while defended by Utah Hockey Club defenseman Juuso Valimaki (4) during a game held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Utah Hockey Club defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok (52) makes his entrance before a game against the Chicago Blackhawks held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Kellen Hansen, of Layton, reacts during a game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Chicago Blackhawks held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Fans react to action between the Utah Hockey Club and Chicago Blackhawks during a game held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Rachael Ivory, of Salt Lake City, watches the action between the Utah Hockey Club and Chicago Blackhawks during a game held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Fans celebrate after the Utah Hockey Club defeated the Chicago Blackhawks after a game held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Utah Hockey Club defenseman Michael Kesselring (7) breaks away from Chicago Blackhawks center Philipp Kurashev (23) with the puck during a game held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Utah Hockey Club head coach André Tourigny reacts during a game against the Chicago Blackhawks held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman TJ Brodie (78) takes a shot on the goal during a game against the Utah Hockey Club held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Utah Hockey Club defenseman Michael Kesselring (7) and Chicago Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson (16) compete for possession of the puck during a game held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Fans slap the glass during a game held between the Utah Hockey Club and the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Even folks who are unfamiliar with hockey enjoyed the pre-game entertainment.
The military flyover was loud, but not as loud as Shaboozey's performance. He played "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" three times, in addition to a few others. That song is what people came to see and he gave it to them over and over again.
There were hockey shooting games, food trucks and a blue carpet for the players to walk down. ESPN did its pregame show from outside the Delta Center and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman joined team owners Ryan and Ashley Smith for an outdoor, open-to-the-public press conference.
The in-game entertainment was also special. Each seat was adorned with an inaugural game shirt and rally towel.
Rally towels are a playoff hockey tradition stemming from late Vancouver Canucks coach Roger Neilson, who waved a white towel on a stick in 1982 to "surrender" to the officials. Coincidentally, that game was also against the Blackhawks. Now, fans wave them out of excitement in the playoffs.
I didn't notice the snow during the game the way I did during the pre-game rehearsals, but it was so light that I certainly could have missed it.
That was probably the only disappointing thing about the night.
Dylan Guenther started the season on a good foot, scoring the first goal in franchise history.
It came on a one-time feed from Michael Kesselring . Guenther signed an eight-year contract extension during training camp, so his success and the team's success will be tied at the hip for the foreseeable future.
Guenther's first goal, which came 4:56 into the game, was the third-fastest first goal in any franchise's history since the 1967 expansion. The two goals ahead of his were scored by Kent Douglas of the Oakland Seals in 1967 (3:23) and Chris Kontos of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992 (4:43).
Guenther also scored an empty-net goal late in the game, taking the franchise lead for goals scored for the second time on opening night.
"It's pretty cool," he said about breaking the record twice. "It's nice to start off well and for us to continue to build and try to make the playoffs."
One of my colleagues, who probably fits into the casual fan category, asked me why Utah Hockey Club seemed to move the puck so much better than the Blackhawks. I responded that it's one of several indications that Utah's rebuild is ending.
Unlike the Blackhawks, who are very much still in the rebuilding process, Utah no longer fills its roster with bad contracts taken on from other teams. It has good NHL players. Yes, they're still developing, but the long-term core is set and is figuring out how to have success going forward.
As dominant as Utah HC looked in the first two periods, the Blackhawks' experience proved valuable in the third. They sustained offensive zone pressure virtually the whole time, scoring once late in the second and again in the third.
"We were confident in our start," said Utah's head coach Andre Tourigny. "We knew we would be ready. We just knew, at some point, there will be pressure and there will be emotion and there will be stress and we need to learn how to manage those situations."
Carson Higgs, of Kaysville, poses for a photo before the Utah Hockey Club's first-ever regular season NHL game held against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Korver Clayton holds a sign as he sits on his dad Sam Clayton's shoulders as they watch ESPN's Steve Levy, Mark Messier and P.K. Subban on set at the inaugural game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Rhonda Maestas, of Tooele, tries on a hoodie before the Utah Hockey Club's first-ever regular season NHL game held against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Ashton Clay and Jaxon Clay join other fans cheering as they watch ESPN's Steve Levy, Mark Messier and P.K. Subban on set at the inaugural game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Will Shafer, of Ogden, browses shirts before the Utah Hockey Club's first-ever regular season NHL game held against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Korver Clayton gets a photo with ESPN's P.K. Subban at the set for the inaugural game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Rhonda Maestas, of Tooele, browses hoodies before the Utah Hockey Club's first-ever regular season NHL game held against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
ESPN's Steve Levy, Mark Messier and P.K. Subban on set ahead of the inaugural game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Chicago Blackhawks in Salt Lake City on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Timothy Valdez, of Denver, Colorado, holds up a sign during an ESPN broadcast before the Utah Hockey Club's first-ever regular season NHL game held against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
A fan holds up a sign during an ESPN broadcast before the Utah Hockey Club's first-ever regular season NHL game held against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Dave Mayes, of West Bountiful, browses shirts before the Utah Hockey Club's first-ever regular season NHL game held against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Fans line the front plaza of the Delta Center as they wait for the players of the Utah Hockey Club to arrive for the inaugural season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks in Salt Lake City, on Monday Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Left Wing Liam O'Brien high fives fans as he arrives to screaming fans ahead of the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Alex Kerfoot smiles at the fans as he and the other Utah Hockey Club players arrive and are greeted by thousands of screaming fans ahead of the inaugural game and season opener with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Players Matias Maccelli, Barrett Hayton and Clayton Keller arrive to screaming fans ahead of the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Bill Battersby and his son Tyler Battersby take a selfie outside the Delta Center as they take part in the festivities ahead of the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game season opener with the Chicago Blackhawks in Salt Lake City, on Monday Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Shaboozey performs ahead of the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Shaboozey performs ahead of the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Fans watch Shaboozey, as he performs ahead of the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Fans watch Shaboozey, as he performs ahead of the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Shaboozey performs ahead of the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Shaboozey, performs ahead of the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Shaboozey performs ahead of the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Fans watch Shaboozey, as he performs ahead of the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Fans Antonia Livers and Jackie Trina dance as they listen to Shaboozey as he performs ahead of the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Festivities outside ahead of the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural season opener with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Sean Durzi, arrives and greets the thousands of screaming fans ahead of the inaugural game and season opener with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Nick Bjugstad and Karen Vejmelka arrive to thousands of screaming fans ahead of the inaugural game and season opener with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Left wing Liam O'Brien looks around as he is interviewed as he arrives to screaming fans ahead of the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural game and season opener with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday Oct. 7, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Hockey Club center Liam O'Brien greets fans before the Utah Hockey Club's first-ever regular season NHL game held against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Don McFarland and his daughter Morgan McFarland, 13, pose together for a photo before the Utah Hockey Club's first-ever regular season NHL game held against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Shaboozey performs before the Utah Hockey Club's first-ever regular season NHL game held against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Hockey Club, mingles with Utah Jazz co-owner Dwyane Wade and others before the Utah Hockey Club's first-ever regular season NHL game held against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Attendees watch a flyover before the Utah Hockey Club's first-ever regular season NHL game held against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Utah Jazz co-owner Dwyane Wade holds a hockey puck before the Utah Hockey Club's first-ever regular season NHL game held against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Brookelynn Paul, of West Valley City, sports a temporary tattoo before the Utah Hockey Club's first-ever regular season NHL game held against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
The Hockey Bear waves a Utah Hockey Club flag before the Utah Hockey Club's first-ever regular season NHL game held against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
From right, Ken Webb, his daughter Kelsi Webb and wife Lorie Webb, all of West Valley City, pose together for a selfie before the Utah Hockey Club's first-ever regular season NHL game held against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Fans cheer before the Utah Hockey Club's first-ever regular season NHL game held against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. | Isaac Hale
Utah Hockey Club now hits the road for Thursday's game against the New York Islanders.
The team plays the New York Islanders on Thursday, the New York Rangers on Saturday and the New Jersey Devils on Monday. As much as they enjoyed Tuesday's win, players understand the importance of not letting off the gas pedal.
"You've got to have a short memory in this league," said team captain Clayton Keller .
Each game starts at a different time. The first is at 5:30 p.m. MDT, the second is at 5 p.m. and the third is at 11 a.m. All three games will be available on Utah HC+ and Utah 16.
