Schmaltz seeks fifth straight game with a goal against Bruins

Nick Schmaltz will try to score in a fifth consecutive game when the Utah Mammoth visit the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Thursday. The October 8 game begins at 5 p.m. Mountain Time, with Utah entering 3–1–0 and Boston 2–2–0.

Schmaltz has five goals and two assists through four games. Three of his goals have come on the power play, and he has put 17 shots on net, according to the official NHL matchup statistics. He had a goal and two assists in Tuesday’s 5–3 win at New Jersey.

Utah has converted eight of its first 13 power plays, a 61.5 percent success rate. Schmaltz and Dylan Guenther have three power-play goals apiece. Boston has yet to score on 10 opportunities, making special teams a clear difference in the clubs’ opening results.

The Bruins have lost their past two games by 4–1 scores, against Minnesota and Ottawa. Coach Marco Sturm has changed his forward combinations, with JJ Peterka expected to skate alongside Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov. Peterka has two goals in four games for Boston and faces his former team.

Boston has confirmed Jeremy Swayman as its starter. Sebastian Cossa is expected to start for Utah after being the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate. Those are different levels of confirmation; the final lineup remains subject to pregame decisions.

Mikhail Sergachev is also expected back in Utah’s lineup. Coach Andre Tourigny said the defenseman would play after he left Tuesday’s game with an upper-body injury.

The listed local broadcasts are NESN in the Bruins’ U.S. market and Utah16 in the Mammoth’s market. Canadian out-of-market viewers should check their Sportsnet+ Premium or NHL Centre Ice access and regional restrictions. Tonight’s full viewing guide provides the other matchups and start times.