The Utah Mammoth (16-15-3) and Detroit Red Wings (18-12-3) meet in an NHL duel tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. EST at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich. The game will be broadcast live on TNT.
The Red Wings are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 5.5 (-135 / +115). The Red Wings are a -125 favorite to win outright, while the Mammoth are +105 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Mammoth vs. Red Wings predictions and NHL picks.
Mammoth vs. Red Wings Odds, Pick
| Utah Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -238 | 5.5 -135o / 114u | +105 |
| Red Wings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +195 | 5.5 -135o / 114u | -125 |
- Mammoth vs. Red Wings Spread: Mammoth +1.5 (-240), Red Wings -1.5 (+195)
- Mammoth vs. Red Wings Over/Under: 5.5 (-135 / +115)
- Mammoth vs. Red Wings Moneyline: Mammoth +105, Red Wings -125
Mammoth vs. Red Wings Preview
Utah Mammoth
The Utah Mammoth’s greatest strength this season has been their ability to generate high-danger scoring chances. Entering this matchup, Utah ranks in the top half of the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60).
The same cannot be said of their defense, which has been inefficient on the other end of the ice. This year, the Mammoth ranks in the bottom half of the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
Playing behind this struggling defense is goaltender Karel Vejmelka, who is projected to start Wednesday. Vejmelka has started to falter in this system, allowing three or more goals in each of his past four starts.
He possesses a fade-worthy .877 save percentage and 3.54 goals-against average over that stretch. These woes are likely to continue against the Detroit Red Wings, a team that shelled Vejmelka in their previous meeting.
In that outing, he surrendered four goals on just 13 shots for a .692 save percentage.
Detroit Red Wings
There were six total goals scored in that matchup, and another high-scoring affair is likely on Wednesday. The Wings have produced a dominant offense this year, ranking fourth in xGF/60.
Meanwhile, like the Mammoth, Detroit may also struggle to get strong goaltending. Since the Wings are on the second half of a back-to-back and John Gibson drew the start on Tuesday, the team will turn to Cam Talbot in this contest.
Talbot has been even worse than Vejmelka, allowing three or more goals in four of his past five outings. He is 0-3-2 over that stretch with an .852 save percentage and 3.77 goals-against average.
Mammoth vs. Red Wings Prediction
There are many reasons to like the over in this matchup. Both teams rank in the top half of the league in xGF/60 and goals scored per game.
Meanwhile, neither goaltender carries a save percentage north of .893 this season. Finally, neither team cracks the top 15 in xGA/60.
Pick: Over 5.5 (-135 | Play to -140)
