3 key Utah Hockey Club takeaways from 2-1 loss to Dallas Stars: Schmaltz's confidence growing, giveaways piling and more 

It was a historic night for the Dallas Stars, making their first trip to Salt Lake City. They took on the Utah Hockey Club after their relocation from the Arizona desert when they were formerly known as the Arizona Coyotes.

The two teams faced off at Delta Center in front of a rowdy crowd of Utah fans, who are growing more and more acclimated to the game in its first official year in Salt Lake City.

Ultimately, the Stars sent the Utah HC fans home disappointed, emerging victorious by a 2-1 final score, improving to 16-8, while Utah fell to 10-11-4.

Both teams went scoreless in the opening 20 minutes of play, but that wasn't the case in the middle frame.

The Stars broke the ice thanks to Evgenii Dadonov's seventh goal of the season, striking on the power-play to give Dallas the first tally of the game. Soon afterward, captain Jamie Benn increased the lead to two goals with his sixth of the season.

The Stars carried their 2-0 lead into the third period, but Utah cut the deficit in half at the 6:57 mark thanks to Nick Shmaltz's third goal.

Unfortunately for the Utah HC, they couldn't pull any closer with Vejmelka lifted for the extra attacker.

Stars backup goaltender Casey DeSmith was strong in net, stopping 35 of 36 shots. Meanwhile, Karel Vejmelka's night wasn't as busy, stopping 19 shots.

3 major takeaways from Utah Hockey Club's 2-1 loss to Dallas Stars

#3. Utah's offense failed to beat a goaltender who hadn't won in over a month

Stars goaltender Casey DeSmith hadn't won a game since late October, but he got the job done against Utah, holding them to just one goal.

Utah's offense is ranked just outside of the bottom 1/3 in the NHL, a mark that will have to be improved if they're to bring postseason hockey to Utah for the first time.

#2. Utah was careless with the puck

While it wasn't a busy night for Vejmelka, Utah's defensive and forward units didn't do him any favors thanks to the 13 takeaways by the Stars.

Head coach Dan Bylsma will want his club to clean up their defensive miscues and take better care of the puck, therefore minimizing scoring opportunities against them.

#1. Can Nick Schmaltz regain some of his scoring confidence?

Utah isn't getting the offense they need from Schmaltz, who has been doling out the assists but had entered Tuesday's game having scored only two goals on the season.

In the last three years, he's scored 23, 22 and 22 goals, respectively. Right now, he's on pace to reach only seven goals.

Utah is in action again when it takes on the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on Saturday.