Utah Mammoth vs Nashville Predators Betting Preview
The Nashville Predators look to build early-season momentum when they host the Utah Mammoth on Saturday night at Bridgestone Arena. After a rocky 2024–25 campaign, the Predators are determined to start strong — and a second straight win would mark a refreshing reversal from last year’s 0–5 stumble out of the gate.
Nashville opened the new season with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Columbus on Thursday, powered by Ryan O’Reilly’s go-ahead power-play goal and a 38-save effort from Juuse Saros. Head coach Andrew Brunette praised his goaltender’s poise and the team’s resilience despite inconsistent stretches of play.
Meanwhile, the Mammoth (0–1–0) are still seeking their first win after falling 2–1 in Denver to the Avalanche. Rookie forward Dylan Guenther notched Utah’s lone goal, while goaltender Karel Vejmelka kept the score close with several key stops.
Oddsmakers list Nashville as -160 favorites, Utah at +135, and the total set at 5.5 goals. For a broader look at how early-season performances could impact the postseason race, check out our NHL Conference Odds & Predictions
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Line Movement and Odds
The Predators opened -145 and quickly climbed to -160 behind strong public support. About 62% of bets favor Nashville, while sharp money is leaning toward the Under 5.5 (-110) given both teams’ early defensive focus. Nashville’s home-ice advantage and superior goaltending provide a clear edge in what’s expected to be a low-event matchup.
“It wasn’t the smoothest water all the time,” Brunette said, “but we hung in there, and it’s something to build on.”


Matchup Breakdown
Utah Mammoth Outlook:
The Mammoth showed plenty of energy in their debut but couldn’t solve Colorado’s goaltending late. Andre Tourigny’s group is still adjusting after relocating and rebranding from Arizona, and their puck-control struggles were evident — they lost 69% of their faceoffs in the opener without Barrett Hayton, who could return Saturday. Guenther’s goal on the power play was a bright spot, and Logan Cooley continues to show flashes of top-line potential. Utah will aim to limit penalties and sustain offensive zone time after generating just 25 shots Thursday.
“We expect to get better every game,” Tourigny said. “That’s what we’re focused on.”
Nashville Predators Outlook:
The Predators’ confidence stems from their goaltending. Saros looked sharp, flashing the form that once made him a Vezina finalist. Filip Forsberg and Gustav Nyquist generated several high-danger looks, while Roman Josi led all skaters with 26 minutes of ice time. Nashville’s special teams are already showing improvement — they scored once on the power play and killed all three penalties against Columbus. A win here would send them into a tough Canadian road trip with valuable momentum.
“Juuse was outstanding,” Forsberg said. “He’s the backbone of our team.”
Injuries and Conditions
Utah Mammoth | Nashville Predators |
---|---|
Barrett Hayton – Questionable (Upper Body) | Luke Evangelista – Questionable (Upper Body) |
Jan Jenik – Out (Wrist) | Dante Fabbro – Out (Knee) |
Troy Stecher – Out (Lower Body) | Ryan McDonagh – Probable (Maintenance) |
— | Spencer Stastney – Probable (Foot) |
Mammoth Injury Report | Predators Injury Report |
Weather: Indoor conditions at Bridgestone Arena, clear and mild evening in Nashville.




Best Bets and Prediction
Expect a defensive battle with Saros and Vejmelka both capable of stealing periods. The Predators’ structure, experience, and goaltending depth should carry them at home, but Utah’s young legs make the puck line risky. The best play lies in Nashville’s moneyline and the Under, given both clubs’ low shot totals and measured pace of play.
Pick: Predators ML (-160)
Projected Final Score: Predators 3, Mammoth 2
Best Bet: Under 5.5 (-110)
Lean: Predators ML (-160)
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Category | Detail |
---|---|
Best Bet | Predators ML (-160) |
Confidence Rating | ★★★★☆ |
Projected Score | Predators 3, Mammoth 2 |
Total Lean | Under 5.5 (-110) |
Market Split | 62% bets Predators, 59% sharp money Under |
ScoresAndStats Handicappers and Picks
The ScoresAndStats Handicappers Leaderboard tracks every verified NHL expert — highlighting ROI, win rate, and current streaks — so you can see who’s dominating early-season lines. In these low-total matchups, professional bettors focus on pace-of-play analytics, shot suppression rates, and goalie workload metrics to identify value before the market adjusts.
In addition, the Service Plays section delivers daily premium picks and team-by-team betting breakdowns. NHL insiders analyze travel spots, rest disadvantages, and advanced data like expected goals (xG) to find hidden edges.
Whether you’re backing hot goaltenders, tracking sharp money, or building parlays, ScoresAndStats gives you the verified expert analysis you need to stay profitable all season long.
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