With the team’s offence stuck in a rut, the Utah Hockey Club hasn’t been able to rely on its top players for goal scoring. 22 games into the season and Utah finally found its first double-digit goal scorer. Dylan Guenther is currently at 10 goals, while captain Clayton Keller has been frozen on six since October 30. That’s an 11 game goalless drought for the star winger. However, an unlikely player has been consistently scoring as of late for Utah by playing a strong and rugged game.
Leading by Example
Jack McBain is everything a team wants in a player. He generates offence with his speed, isn’t afraid to drive to the net, and is physical on a nightly basis. McBain currently leads all Utah skaters in hits with 63 and is second on the team in penalty minutes with 39. While he should try to limit the penalty minutes, McBain acts as a spark plug that brings endless energy. Although he doesn’t get any power-play time, McBain provides a steady defensive game on the penalty kill. He has won 40 of 69 faceoffs for 58%, which is fourth on the team and always has an active stick on defence. McBain doesn’t have a letter on his sweater, but he has shown he can be a leader without one. Perhaps the other Utah forwards will take notice to his work ethic and start implementing his good habits into their game.
Hard Work is Paying Off
The 6-foot-4 centre, who’s been primarily used in a bottom-six role, has proven himself as a reliable scoring option for Utah. After scoring only two goals in the first 13 games this season, McBain has found the back of the net six times in the last nine games. He currently has a three-game goal scoring streak. McBain started the season on the fourth line for Utah and has since been rewarded for his strong play. After Thursday’s loss to the Boston Bruins, he was elevated to second line left-wing with Logan Cooley and Guenther. He remained in the position for the past three games against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Montreal Canadiens.
Always a good night when both roommates score 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/FZXVg8hHJY
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) November 27, 2024
Despite averaging only 12 minutes of ice-time a game, McBain has been one of Utah’s best forwards at even-strength. All eight of his goals this season have come at 5-on-5, which is most on the team, and includes one game-winner. The 24-year-old forward only had eight goals last year and is already on pace to break his career high of 12. With only 17 shots this season, McBain leads Utah with a 43.8 shooting percentage. It’s a small sample size, but when shots were available, he’s made them count and has found twine. He brings heart to every game and doesn’t waste a single second of his time on the ice.
McBain’s Scoring Could Help End Skid
With the recent dip in the standings, Utah could benefit from the energy McBain has brought onto the ice. It’s never a good feeling in the locker room when a team is underperforming and nothing has worked. As mentioned, most teams rely on their best players to end a slump, but sometimes, it’s someone who doesn’t play much. McBain does all the little things. He gets the puck in the offensive zone, forechecks, backchecks, hits and more recently, he scores. During the skid, he’s brought intensity and it hasn’t quite spread to his teammates yet. Not every player needs to be as physical as McBain, but they need to show the same effort as him. It’s difficult for one player to fire up an entire team, but it’s not unusual. The only way Utah turns their season around is to follow McBain’s lead, play simple, quick, and physical.
Main Photo: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
