There have been a number of issues that hindered the Utah Hockey Membership of their 4-0 loss to the Nashville Predators on Saturday night time (Nov. 9). Nevertheless, the most important concern within the sport and throughout their street journey is inconsistency. The staff has been very inconsistent all through this season and it’s beginning to catch as much as them. Listed here are some takeaways from Saturday’s loss.

Utah’s Inconsistent Particular Groups

In case you take a look at Utah’s particular groups sport by sport, it’ll spark a number of confusion particularly for those who take a look at every particular person energy play and penalty kill from each match. It looks as if Utah will be implausible on the ability play like once they utterly managed the sport within the second interval on a delayed man benefit alternative. Nevertheless, then they received’t capitalize on their two alternatives, in contrast to their opponents.

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It’s the identical story for the penalty kill. On Thursday night time (Nov. 7), the staff did nice at killing off a lot of the penalties in opposition to the St. Louis Blues, barely letting them have any photographs. Transitioning to Saturday’s sport, it appeared just like the staff couldn’t kill off a penalty to avoid wasting their life, particularly within the first interval. Utah allowed two straight targets on the penalty kill to Jonathan Marchessault and Filip Forsberg. Not an incredible look throughout the board in any respect.

Ultimately, the place Utah ranks within the league for each their energy play and penalty kill is sensible after their sport in opposition to the Predators. The facility play ranks at 27 and the penalty kill is available in at 20 in effectivity. Being within the backside half of the league in each classes received’t win you hockey video games. It’s one thing Utah wants to alter ASAP. 

Utah’s Inconsistent Goaltending

Connor Ingram is at present not enjoying as much as the extent we all know he can. The Canadian goaltender has had a tough begin to the season, profitable solely half of the 12 video games that he’s began.

In these 12 video games, Ingram has a .879 save proportion and a goals-against common of three.40. These aren’t nice numbers in any respect. It appears particularly unhealthy once you take a look at years previous and Ingram has put up higher numbers on worse Arizona Coyotes groups. 

It have to be irritating for followers as everybody has seen the potential Ingram has. He’s proven it this season. He’s held his personal in opposition to among the finest groups within the league. Nevertheless, previously couple of video games, he has been inconsistent. Ingram regarded respectable within the sport in opposition to the Blues recording a win over a staff at present within the playoff hunt. Then, in opposition to the Predators, he couldn’t cease a shot in opposition to their energy play.

Karel Vejmelka has regarded nice within the video games he’s performed however he nonetheless hasn’t recorded a win this season. He’s additionally solely performed 4 video games to date. That may change within the close to future but it surely isn’t just like the season will get simpler from right here on out.

Goaltending is a troublesome place to guage as a result of it’s the realm everybody often appears to first in the case of a loss. But, it issues concerning the staff in entrance of them as effectively. Did the staff in entrance of Ingram play extremely effectively and provides him an opportunity to win the sport? Completely not. Nevertheless, on the identical time, it’s been a few video games now the place Ingram has been actually inconsistent and it has gotten to the purpose the place it’s turn into a problem.

Utah’s Inconsistent Street Journey

The street journey is now formally over and Utah must be grateful for that. The staff compiled a document of 1-2-1 over the four-game journey and claimed solely three of the out there eight factors that they may’ve obtained. 

The staff remains to be floating round .500 but it surely seems like that may change rapidly at any second primarily based on the best way they’re enjoying. That’s very true once you take a look at the groups Utah will play subsequent. The Vegas Golden Knights, Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Edmonton Oilers will all face Utah within the subsequent couple of weeks and people are all excellent groups.

If there may be one phrase to explain the four-game street journey, it could be inconsistency. As talked about, the particular groups and the goaltending have actually been that. Nevertheless, it’s the entire staff. Even particular person scoring has been streaky for a bunch of the gamers, and that has actually dried up the offense.

Now, after a shutout loss to the Predators, it looks as if there’s extra work than ever to be carried out for the teaching employees. With video games rapidly coming and going, it’ll must be a fast repair if Utah needs to get again on observe to compete for a playoff spot.

Utah will return dwelling and play the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 13. The Hurricanes are at present 10-3-0 and are one of many high groups within the league. They’re coming off a 6-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche however will play the Vegas Golden Knights earlier than going through off in opposition to Utah.