NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Game Preview: Detroit Red Wings @ Utah Mammoth
The Detroit Red Wings head to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. This East vs West NHL clash features one of the league’s most historic franchises against an ambitious expansion club still finding its rhythm. Detroit is battling for postseason position in the Atlantic Division, while Utah continues to forge a competitive identity in its inaugural season.
The teams bring contrasting identities to the ice. Detroit excels in puck control and structured speed through the neutral zone, while Utah plays a more physical, containment-based style designed to frustrate faster opponents. The matchup provides useful angles for bettors looking to find value across moneyline, total, and puck line markets.
For more breakdowns like this, visit the NHL picks section.
Access Thousands of Data-Driven Plays
From the First Pitch to the Final Whistle
Odds and Key Information
This game is scheduled for a 9:00 PM ET puck drop at Delta Center in Salt Lake City and will be televised on ESPN+ and NHL Network. Opening odds position Detroit as a moderate favorite on the moneyline at -140, with Utah listed at +120. The puck line is Detroit -1.5 (+180) and Utah +1.5 (-200), while the total sits at 6.0 goals with even juice.
You can always track real-time line movement at the NHL odds board.
Detroit Red Wings Outlook
The Red Wings come in with a 15-11-3 record and continue to compete in a tight Atlantic Division race. Their recent form includes 4 wins in 6 games, and their offense is producing 3.4 goals per contest during that stretch. Key contributors include Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Alex DeBrincat, who’ve powered the team’s top-six scoring efforts.
Detroit’s power play is converting at 23.7%, while the penalty kill is sitting above 81%. Their defense, led by Moritz Seider and Jake Walman, has become more structured, but goaltending remains a potential weakness. Ville Husso leads the rotation but has struggled with rebound control in high-pressure moments.
You can follow the Red Wings’ divisional outlook in the Atlantic Division odds and predictions blog.
Utah Mammoth Outlook
The Mammoth are 9-17-2 and working through the standard expansion growing pains. However, their home record is showing improvement, and the team has been more competitive in Salt Lake City than on the road. Their system emphasizes neutral zone traps and limiting opponent shot quality, but offensive production remains low at just 2.2 goals per game.
Jesper Wallstedt is anchoring Utah’s goaltending with a .914 save percentage across his last five starts. Rookie Logan Cooley leads the team in scoring and continues to develop chemistry with fellow young skaters. Utah’s power play (16.5%) continues to underwhelm, and their penalty kill ranks bottom-five league-wide.
To understand how new teams like Utah might impact your betting edge, explore the conference predictions for broader context.
Key Matchup
One of the most telling advantages in this game lies in Detroit’s power play going up against Utah’s struggling penalty kill. The Red Wings generate above-average chances per 60 minutes with the man advantage, relying on layered zone entries and crisp cross-slot passing. Utah, on the other hand, has allowed at least one power play goal in five of their last six games.
Expect this to be a difference-maker in a close contest. For more ways to break down team matchups, check out the Concise Guide to Hockey Betting.
Streamline Your Picks in One Dashboard
All Sports. All Experts. One Login.
Betting Trends
Detroit has covered the puck line in six of its last nine road games and has performed well in non-conference play, particularly against sub-.500 teams. Meanwhile, Utah has gone 4-2 against the spread in its last six home outings, showing resilience even when outmatched on paper.
To explore additional angles and data trends, refer to the expert NHL betting guide.
Projected Score and Final Picks
Projected Score: Detroit 3, Utah 2
Best Bet: Detroit Red Wings ML (-140)
Total Lean: Under 6.0
Why You Need Expert Picks
Games like this can be deceptively close, especially when an underdog team covers spreads without winning outright. That’s where our expert analysts step in—delivering picks based on advanced data, expected goals models, travel metrics, and recent rest advantages.
The Handicappers Leaderboard is a great place to identify the top NHL performers. For those refining their approach, helpful tools include the moneyline betting guide, how to manage betting units, and this sports betting for beginners overview.
