NEW YORK (Interstat) — Dylan Guenther scored the overtime winner as the Utah Mammoth defeated the New York Rangers 3-2 on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. The Mammoth, who also beat the Rangers in November, erased two one-goal deficits. Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafrenière scored for New York in the second period, but Utah answered each time. Guenther tied it in the second, and Michael Carcone forced overtime with a third-period goal. Guenther finished with a goal and six shots for Utah. Goaltender Karel Vejmelka made 23 saves for the win. Mika Zibanejad had two assists for the Rangers. Utah improved to 20-23. New York fell to 20-24.

NEW YORK (Interstat) — Dylan Guenther scored the game-winning goal 1:08 into overtime, lifting the Utah Mammoth to a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. The win gave Utah a sweep of the two-game season series and improved the Mammoth to 20-23, pulling them even with the Rangers, who fell to 20-24. After a scoreless first period dominated by strong goaltending at both ends, the Rangers struck first on the power play. With Utah’s Dylan Guenther in the box for tripping, Mika Zibanejad set up Alexis Lafrenière for a wrist shot that beat Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka at 16:29 of the second period. Artemi Panarin also assisted on Lafrenière’s ninth goal of the season. Utah answered just over six minutes later to tie the game. Defenseman Ian Cole held the puck in at the blue line and fed Guenther, who fired a wrist shot past Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick for his 21st goal at 24:38 of the second. New York regained the lead before the period ended, capitalizing on another man-advantage. With two Utah players serving minor penalties, the Rangers’ top power-play unit connected again. Panarin sent a pass to the front of the net where Vincent Trocheck deflected it past Vejmelka at 32:36. Zibanejad recorded his second assist of the night on the play. The Mammoth pushed for the equalizer in the third period and were rewarded late. After a sustained offensive-zone shift, defenseman John Marino’s shot was redirected in front by Michael Carcone, who beat Quick for his eighth goal at 18:15 to force overtime. In the extra frame, Utah controlled possession off the opening faceoff. Carcone carried the puck into the zone and dropped a pass for Guenther, who skated into the high slot and unleashed a slap shot that found the back of the net to secure the extra point for the visitors. Vejmelka was instrumental in the victory, making 23 saves on 25 shots to earn the win. His performance included several key stops during New York’s two power-play goals and throughout a tense third period as the Rangers sought an insurance marker. Quick took the loss for New York, stopping 15 of the 18 shots he faced. The Rangers outshot Utah 25-18 but could not solve Vejmelka at even strength, with both of their goals coming on the power play. The game was a physical affair, with the teams combining for seven minor penalties. Utah’s penalty kill, aside from the two second-period lapses, was perfect, including killing off a critical hooking penalty to Sean Durzi in the final minutes of regulation. Zibanejad was a central figure for the Rangers, finishing with two assists and winning 16 of 28 faceoffs. Trocheck added a goal and three hits for New York. For Utah, Cole contributed an assist and three hits, while Marino’s assist extended his point streak to three games. The Mammoth’s victory followed a 4-1 loss at New Jersey on Saturday, helping the team split its two-game New York-area trip. The Rangers, coming off a 5-1 win at Florida on Friday, were unable to build momentum as they began a brief two-game homestand. According to National Statistical, the final score matched its game simulator projection of a 3-2 Utah victory, despite its ELO system giving the Rangers a 58.4% probability to win. The combined four goals went under the betting over/under line of 5.5. Utah returns home to face the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday. The Rangers continue their homestand Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres.

Preview: Utah Mammoth at New York Rangers NEW YORK (Interstat) — Two teams hovering near the .500 mark will look to build momentum when the Utah Mammoth visit the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. Both clubs enter with nearly identical records. Utah is 19-23-0, while New York sits at 20-23-0. The matchup is the second of the season between the teams; the Mammoth earned a 3-2 home victory on Nov. 22. The Rangers are coming off a dominant 5-1 road win against the Florida Panthers on Friday, powered by a career night from center Mika Zibanejad. The veteran forward recorded a hat trick and added two assists, showcasing the offensive burst New York has sought consistently. Zibanejad has eight points (four goals, four assists) in his last five games and will be the focal point of the Rangers’ attack. Utah arrives after a 4-1 loss in New Jersey on Saturday, snapping a brief two-game win streak. Winger Michael Carcone provided the lone goal in the defeat and has been a bright spot, with three goals in his last five contests. His scoring touch will be vital for a Mammoth team that has struggled offensively at times, including a 1-0 shutout loss in Colorado on Dec. 23. The game features a contrast in recent trajectories. The Rangers have shown high-end potential, as seen in the Florida rout and a 7-3 win in Washington on Dec. 23, but have also been shut out twice in their last six games. Consistency remains an issue. Utah has been similarly uneven, mixing impressive victories like a 7-2 win over the New York Islanders on Jan. 1 with narrow defeats. Their ability to secure points in close games, evidenced by overtime wins against Pittsburgh and Winnipeg last month, could be a factor. In net, the Rangers are expected to start Igor Shesterkin, who made 36 saves in the win over Florida. Utah’s goaltender decision is less clear following the loss in New Jersey. With both teams looking to climb the standings in a crowded playoff race, Monday’s contest represents a critical opportunity to string together wins. The Rangers will aim to leverage their home-ice advantage and Zibanejad’s hot hand, while the Mammoth will rely on Carcone and seek a more complete effort to replicate their November success against New York. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.