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Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Utah Mammoth taking on the Colorado Avalanche. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.
Time: 9:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
TV: ESPN+, Utah16, Altitude
The Mammoth (0-0-0) take on the Avalanche (1-0-0), hoping to build off an impressive inaugural campaign by winning their first game of the 2025-2026 season. Some changes were made during the summer, most notably being the acquisition of dynamic winger JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres. Others include the signings of forward Brandon Tanev, defenceman Nate Schmidt, and goaltender Vitek Vanecek. Utah finished just outside the wild card with 89 points, or a 38-31-13 record. The belief is that expectations for the Mammoth will be much higher compared to last year, with playoffs being the goal.
Utah captain Clayton Keller led the team with 30 goals and 90 points. While forwards Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther will also be looking to follow up their career years with another. Karel Vejmelka won 26 games last season and is expected to start in goal for the Mammoth.
As for the Avalanche, they won their season opener in convincing fashion, defeating the Los Angeles Kings 4-1. Martin Necas led the way with a pair of goals, one of them coming on the power play. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar each had two assists. Scott Wedgewood started in place of Mackenzie Blackwood, who didn’t travel with the team due to a lower-body injury. Wedgewood was terrific, stopping 24 of 25 shots. If Blackwood continues to be sidelined, Wedgewood will take over the starting duties. He will likely play against Utah.
These two teams met three times last season, with the Avalanche winning two of the three contests. While the Mammoth certainly improved their roster in the offseason, Colorado is clearly the better team. Utah will need to control the neutral zone and stop the Avalanche from playing with speed if they want to have any chance of winning this game. They will also need to stay out of the penalty box as the Avalanche power play will certainly make them pay. They will also need to find a way to shut down star Nathan Mackinnon, as he feasted on the Mammoth in their three games last season, scoring a goal and four assists in the three games.
Despite the improved Utah roster, they’re walking into hostile territory to open their season. The Avalanche roster will prove to be too much for the Mammoth, improving to 2-0 to start the 2025-26 season and sending the Mammoth to Nashville with a 0-1 record.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-1.
Main Photo: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Joseph Calabrese is an NHL freelance writer for Last Word on Sports. He graduated Montclair State University in 2023 and received a Bachelor of the Arts Degree in Television and Digital Media. As a long-time New York Rangers fan, Joseph hopes to utilize his knowledge to make insightful contributions to the hockey community.
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