Utah Mammoth (0-1-0) vs. Nashville Predators (1-0-0)
The 2025-26 NHL betting action continues Saturday, October 11, with a full 16-game card, including the Central Division showdown at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN, and we’ve got you covered with our Mammoth vs. Predators prediction.
Utah and Nashville start their four-game regular-season series. Last season, Nashville took two out of three games from Utah, but the Predators were smashed by the former Hockey Club 7-3 in their last encounter.
Read more about this Mammoth vs. Predators prediction, and check out all our NHL picks for Saturday’s slate. Utah is a slight -118 moneyline fave with a total of 6.0 goals. The puck drop is set at 8:00 PM ET.
The Mammoth opens the season with a Loss
The Utah Mammoth started their 2025-26 campaign this past Thursday, suffering a 2-1 road loss against the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs satisfied the odds as -190 moneyline favorites, and the game went under the 6.5-goal line.
Utah outshot Colorado 33-27 on the night, but it wasn’t enough. The Mammoth converted one of their three power-play opportunities, with Dylan Guenther tying the game late in the second period. Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz accounted for an assist each, while Karel Vejmelka posted 25 saves.
Vejmelka played well last season, going 26-22-8 with a 2.58 GAA and a .904 save percentage. However, he couldn’t help Utah reach the playoffs, as the Hockey Club finished sixth in the Central Division with 89 points. Utah ranked 20th in the league in goals for (2.93 per game) and 17th in goals against (3.01).
The Predators beat the Blue Jackets in their opener
The Nashville Predators opened the season on Thursday night, too. They hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets, tallying a 2-1 victory. The Predators were listed as -125 moneyline favorites, and the game went under the 6.5-goal line.
Michael Bunting gave the Preds an early lead, but the Blue Jackets tied the game late in the first period. After a scoreless second period, Ryan O’Reilly scored a power-play goal 2:41 into the third to lift Nashville over Columbus. The Preds went 1-for-4 with the man advantage, while Juuse Saros had a big game in the crease with 37 stops.
Saros and the Predators are coming off a disappointing 2024-25 campaign. The 30-year-old goalie went 20-31-6 with a 2.98 GAA and a .896 save percentage, and the Preds finished seventh in the Central Division with 68 points. Nashville was 31st in the NHL in goals for (2.59 per game) and 27th in goals against (3.34).
Mammoth vs. Predators Pick Spread Pick for Utah Mammoth vs. Predators
In the offseason, the Predators signed defenseman Nicolas Hague and Nick Perbix, trying to fortify their shaky blueline. It seems like the Preds will need some time to gel, as they allow a whopping 38 shots to the Blue Jackets in their season opener.
At the moment, Utah looks like a better defensive team than Nashville. Juuse Saros should bounce back from his poor 2024-25 campaign, while Karel Vejmelka is coming off his strongest NHL season. I’m backing the Mammoth to grab a win behind their defense.
Utah signed wingers J.J. Peterka and Brandon Tanev in the offseason. The Mammoth certainly need more from their offense, especially five-on-five.
Over/Under Pick for Utah Mammoth vs. Predators
Both Utah and Nashville struggled to score last season. Utah relied on its defense and goaltending, whereas Nashville’s defense and goaltending were pretty much awful. I expect the Mammoth to continue with solid defending, while the Predators can only play better, right?
I’m not sure what to think about the Predators’ blue line. At least, Juuse Saros was terrific in his season debut. We saw a couple of proper low-scoring affairs in Utah’s and Nashville’s season openers, and I’m looking for another one when they lock horns at Bridgestone Arena.
400% match of $50 in Coins
Show Bonus Code
Claim Bonus
Signup Promo Recommended
150,000 Bits + FREE 4 Bucks
Show Bonus Code
Claim Bonus
No Deposit Hot Offer
Spend $50, Get up to $100 in Fliff Coins
Show Bonus Code
Claim Bonus
Signup Promo Hot Offer