The Utah Mammoth will open their season in hostile territory against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night at Ball Arena. The Avs are fresh off a 4-1 win over the LA Kings in their season opener and will try to get a second straight win to open the season here. The Mammoth will try to score a win in their first game since rebranding from Utah Hockey Club. Before this Western Conference matchup in the NHL, continue reading to get my Mammoth vs Avalanche prediction.
Our Mammoth vs Avalanche PickPick: Colorado Avalanche –1.5Confidence: ★★☆☆☆Game SnapshotMatchup: Utah Mammoth vs Colorado AvalancheDate & Time: Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 9:00 PM ETVenue: Ball Arena, Denver, COBroadcast: ESPN+Mammoth vs Avalanche OddsOdds TypeLineMoneylineAvalanche –175 / Mammoth +150PucklineAvalanche –1.5 (+140) / Mammoth +1.5 (–165)Total6.5Key StorylinesRecent form
Colorado enters this game off a convincing opening-night performance. They handled Los Angeles 4-1 behind a three-goal second period, with their defense playing at a high level as well. The Mammoth have not played a regular season game yet and had a 2–4–1 preseason record. Utah’s preseason form is not a great barometer of what we could see from them this year, as they will use more of their top players starting with this game.
Goaltending
Scott Wedgewood featured in net for Colorado in their 4-1 win over the Kings. He had 24 saves and a save percentage of .960 in that game. He enters with confidence and a stable defense in front of him. Utah’s situation is more precarious. Anson Thornton remains on injured reserve and unavailable. Karel Vejmelka started the majority of their games last season and will likely get the start tonight. But he had a losing record in net last season and will need to be better this year.
Key skatersNathan MacKinnon – MacKinnon is already Colorado’s all-time points leader. He had two assists in the opener for the Avs.Martin Necas – He scored two goals in the Colorado opener and appears to be locked in early.Cale Makar – The Norris Trophy winner and two-way defenseman gives Colorado an edge when he is on the ice.Clayton Keller – Keller is one of Utah’s top forwards and will need to carry a good share of their offense if they are going to keep pace with the Avs.Best Player PropsPlayerPropNathan MacKinnonOver 0.5 assistsMartin NecasOver 1.5 pointsCale MakarOver 0.5 assistsClayton KellerOver 0.5 pointsBetting Trends & H2H
The Avalanche won their first game and covered the puckline in the process. They are 1-0-0 on the road to start the year and will try to make an impact in their first home game of the season as well. Utah is playing in their first game of the season here and will try to get off to a fast start of their own.
Mammoth vs Avalanche Model Projection
Score Projection: Utah Mammoth 2 – Colorado Avalanche 4
Win Probability: Avalanche 68%, Mammoth 32%
Final Thoughts
Colorado looked impressive in their opener and I would expect them to look strong in their home opener as well. Utah finished just a game below the .500 mark on the road last season. But the Avs have been one of the best home teams in hockey over the last two or three years. I’ll lay the puckline with the Avs in this contest.
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