Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. Our featured game of this edition is the Vegas Golden Knights taking on the Utah Mammoth. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
NHL Predictions
Utah Mammoth vs Vegas Golden Knights
Series: Mammoth 0-1 Golden Knights
How to Watch: US TV: ESPN2, Scripps Vegas, Utah16, ESPN+. Canada TV: SN360; TVA Sports.
Time: 9:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
It’s Game 2 of the Western Conference first-round series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights. The Pacific Division champions got off to a slow start but netted three goals in the third period to win the opener, 4-2. Vegas will want to put Utah in a 2-0 hole before going back to Salt Lake City. However, the Mammoth provided a stiff test in the first game.
Colton Sissons provided a pair of points while Carter Hart overcame a shaky start to make 31 saves in the victory. The Golden Knights have seemingly stabilized for now under John Tortorella.
Logan Cooley and Kevin Stenlund each scored for the Mammoth in the first game. However, Utah saw the wheels fall off in the third period. The playoff debutants will have to do better in the final frame if they want to get that coveted split.
Let’s take a look at the statistics and storylines for our Game 2 edition of NHL predictions.
The Mammoth Story
Utah got off to a dream start thanks to Cooley’s goal and grabbed a 2-1 lead thanks to Stenlund’s marker. However, Utah couldn’t see the game through against Vegas. Karel Vejmelka started strong but let inn a pair of goals before the Golden Knights sealed things with an empty netter.
Vejmelka will draw the start again but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. The Czech netminder did stop 30 of the 33 shots he faced in the opening game.
The Mammoth are hoping that captain Clayton Keller can join the scoring fun after being held without a point in the opener. Utah also hopes that Nick Schmaltz can break into the points column in Game 2.
The Golden Knights Story
Vegas showed some fight back in third period to get the victory in Game 1. The three-goal outburst in the final stanza helped overcome a slow start. However, the Knights know the Mammoth will come out of the blocks strong.
Hart’s 31 saves may not be the permanent answer in between the pipes. However, it’s helped quell the one area of concern that troubled Vegas during its late-season swoon.
The Golden Knights won despite not getting a point from leading scorer Jack Eichel. Nic Dowd and Mark Stone also scored in Game 1.
Prediction
Both teams want their leading scorers to get on track after being held without a point in the first game. Vegas did wobble at first, but it should get the win in Game 2.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 4-2.
Best Bets
Let’s finish up NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. The over/under for Game 2 of the Golden Knights and the Mammoth is 5.5, and we like the over in this game.
As for individual props, we like Eichel to get his first goal of the series in this for Vegas. On the Utah side of things, take Cooley to get at least another point in this game.
Main photo by: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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