John Marino’s arrival has helped steady the backend without Sergachev. The defenseman — who was traded to Utah this summer from the New Jersey Devils — made his team debut on Jan. 14 and has played in four games. The 27-year-old missed training camp and the first half of the year after undergoing lower-back surgery in October.

Marino wasn't the only defenseman to step up with Sergachev out. Michael Kesselring was elevated to the top power-play unit and didn't take long to find success. Kesselring scored Utah's opening goal on the man advantage in the first period.

In an interview with the Deseret News last week, Utah Hockey Club captain Clayton Keller shared his thoughts on the team’s expectations and how they compare to reality. “Our expectation was to come in and make the playoffs and grow as a team,

Facing Connor Hellebuyck — the league's most dominant goaltender this season — Utah poked holes in what had been a brick wall all year, cracking Winnipeg's net wide open.

The Utah Hockey Club has made an impact immediately in the NHL. In just their first season in the league, they've already developed a passionate group of fans and garnered support around the hockey community as they try to sneak into one of the Western Conference Wild Card spots.