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.

Utah Hockey Club’s defensemen have gotten familiar with the next-man-up mentality this season. Mikhail Sergachev is the latest name on the list of blueliners who have been sidelined; he is day to day with an upper-body injury and has missed the last two games.

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.

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,

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.