The Utah Mammoth (27-20-4) and Carolina Hurricanes (32-15-5) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EST at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Hurricanes are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6.5 (+115 / -135). The Hurricanes are a -185 favorite to win outright, while the Mammoth are +155 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Mammoth vs. Hurricanes predictions and NHL picks.
Mammoth vs. Hurricanes Odds, Pick
| Utah Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -165 | 6 -115o / -105u | +155 |
| Hurricanes Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +140 | 6 -115o / -105u | -185 |
- Mammoth vs. Hurricanes Spread: Mammoth +1.5 (-155), Hurricanes -1.5 (+130)
- Mammoth vs. Hurricanes Over/Under: 6.5 (+115 / -135)
- Mammoth vs. Hurricanes Moneyline: Mammoth +155, Hurricanes -185
Mammoth vs. Hurricanes Preview
Utah Mammoth
The Utah Mammoth enter this matchup ranked fourth in the Central Division, but several factors are working against them.
First, this is a road game in a difficult environment. Utah carries a sub-.500 record away from home this season, while the Carolina Hurricanes have been dominant on home ice at 18-8-2.
Second, the Mammoth are dealing with injuries. Logan Cooley remains on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, while Dylan Guenther is day to day and missed the team’s most recent game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, a 2-0 loss.
Finally, Carolina is simply the better team across the board.
Carolina Hurricanes
This season, the Hurricanes rank second in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60), fourth in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) and second in expected goal share. They are one of just two teams, along with the Colorado Avalanche, to rank in the top four in all three of those categories.
As a result, Utah trails Carolina in each.
Not only are the Hurricanes the superior team, but they also hold the goaltending advantage. Brandon Bussi is slated to start in the net, and through 23 starts this season, the rookie is 19-3-1 with a .911 save percentage and a 2.17 goals-against average.
Mammoth vs. Hurricanes Prediction
Across the ice, Karel Vejmelka is expected to start for the Mammoth. While Vejmelka has been solid, he trails Bussi in both save percentage and goals-against average.
Given all of these advantages, it makes sense to take Carolina on the puck line at +130 rather than laying -190 on the moneyline. Six of the Hurricanes’ past eight wins have come by at least two goals.
Pick: Hurricanes -1.5 (+130 | Play to +125)
