Mammoth vs. Rangers Recap: Six Goals, Vejmelka Under Saves Cash

The Rangers beat the Mammoth 4-2 in regulation on Sunday. New York led 1-0 after one on a Vladislav Gavrikov wrist shot at 17:18 of the 1st, and Utah tied it on a Nick Schmaltz power-play backhand at 14:29 of the 2nd. The 3rd period produced four goals. Gabe Perreault and J.T. Miller scored at even strength for a 3-1 lead, Andrew Peeke cut it to 3-2 at 14:57, and Eeli Tolvanen sealed it with an empty-netter at 18:45. Utah outshot New York 30-22, but Igor Shesterkin stopped 28 of 30. Karel Vejmelka made 18 saves on 21 shots. The Rangers had 4 power plays and did not score on any of them, while Utah scored on 1 of its 2. Three DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

Oliver Bjorkstrand under 0.5 points (-200 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Bjorkstrand went pointless in 54 of 80 games last season and is playing 12-15 minutes a night for the Rangers, so we leaned on the under. - What happened: 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 shots on goal in 7:49 of ice time, with 0:33 on the power play, 1 hit and 1 blocked shot. He finished 0.5 under the line and did not factor in any of the four Rangers goals. - Worth watching: His minutes came in well below the 12-15 we expected, and fewer minutes mean fewer chances to get on the sheet. At -200 this was at the top of our price range, so the angle is worth a look again only at that number or better.

ALT: Over 4.5 total goals (alt): CASHED - Our read: Utah had scored 10 goals in 2 games and was on the second night of a back-to-back, and the main total sat at 5.5 shaded to the over. We played the alt at 4.5 for a lower bar to clear. - What happened: 6 total goals, 1.5 over the line. Peeke's goal at 14:57 of the 3rd was the fifth goal and cashed it, and the Tolvanen empty-netter added a sixth. - Worth watching: This one needed a late 3rd-period push after a 1-1 game through two periods. A 30-shot night from Utah on the back end of a back-to-back is worth noting the next time the Mammoth play on short rest.

Karel Vejmelka under 23.5 saves (-120 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: The Rangers had put 24, 25 and 21 shots on goal in their three games and averaged 25.2 per game last season. Vejmelka finished with 23 or fewer saves in 54% of his starts last season. - What happened: 18 saves on 21 shots, 3 goals against, .857 save percentage in 58:40. He finished 5.5 saves under the line. New York had 4 power plays and still put only 21 shots on him, with the 22nd team shot going into the empty net. - Worth watching: At 60 confidence this was a longer shot that landed. New York's 22 team shots came in under the 25.2 per game it averaged last season, so saves unders against the Rangers stay on our radar when the price is -125 or better.

How the game played out

The game was tight for 40 minutes at 1-1. The swing came early in the 3rd, when Perreault scored at 3:15 off a Zibanejad and Lafreniere setup. Miller's deflection at 12:47 made it 3-1, Peeke answered at 14:57, and Vejmelka went to the bench before Tolvanen hit the empty net. Utah won the shot count, but Shesterkin's 28 saves kept New York in front.

Trends to watch

• Rangers power-play usage leaned on Adam Fox (5:06), Mika Zibanejad (4:50), Pavel Dorofeyev (4:43) and Alexis Lafreniere (4:25). Lafreniere led New York with 4 shots on goal.
• Utah carried the volume: Lawson Crouse led all skaters with 5 shots on goal, and Mikhail Sergachev played 23:51 on the back end.
• Shesterkin faced 30 shots and made 28 saves, so his workload against Utah's pace is worth tracking.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. More at NHL, NHL recaps, and our explainers on the alt line and player props.