CBJ vs. Utah Mammoth

This matchup pits the Columbus Blue Jackets against the NHL's newest franchise: the Utah Mammoth, formerly the Arizona Coyotes before Ryan and Ashley Smith purchased and relocated the team to Salt Lake City in 2024. Utah reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs in just its second season under general manager Bill Armstrong, capping a long rebuild that began in Arizona, and the club has quickly established itself as a legitimate divisional opponent rather than an expansion afterthought. For Columbus, hosting one of the league's newest identities at Nationwide Arena offers a look at a franchise still writing its own history, set against the Blue Jackets' own push up the standings. The game takes place in Columbus on October 3, 2026.