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 trends, then makes predictions based on how the game might play out.
Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2025 season continues.
How to Watch: MSG, Utah16
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Location: Madison Square Garden
Rangers Story
The Rangers return home riding a wave of confidence after a dominant Winter Classic victory, highlighted by a massive performance from Mika Zibanejad. That game showcased exactly what New York is capable of when their top players are rolling.
Artemi Panarin continues to be the engine of the offense, while Alexis Lafrenière has taken another step forward as a consistent scoring threat. New York’s ability to roll multiple lines gives them a significant edge, particularly against teams missing key contributors.
Defensively, the Rangers have tightened up their neutral zone play, and with Igor Shesterkin anchoring the crease, they remain one of the tougher teams to break down when protecting a lead.
ALWAYS SERVED FRESH. pic.twitter.com/ZoEtGj23h2
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 3, 2026
Mammoth Story
Utah enters this matchup looking to stay competitive despite dealing with lineup adversity. The Mammoth have been inconsistent offensively of late, and that challenge becomes even steeper with the absence of Logan Cooley, their top offensive catalyst. Without him, Utah has struggled to generate sustained pressure at five-on-five.
Players like Clayton Keller and Dylan Guenther will need to drive offense, especially on the power play. Defensively, Utah tends to keep games close by limiting odd-man rushes, but lapses in coverage have been costly against teams with elite skill.
Goaltending will be critical. If Utah gets a strong performance between the pipes, they can hang around, but margin for error is slim on the road against a deep Rangers lineup.
Michael Carcone nets one! pic.twitter.com/AMyyptRPg0
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 3, 2026
Key Matchups to Watch
Rangers’ Top Six vs. Utah’s Defense:
New York’s speed and puck movement could stretch Utah’s defensive structure.
Special Teams:
Utah needs power-play success to keep pace, while New York’s penalty kill has been reliable.
Goaltending Battle:
Utah must get near-perfect goaltending to offset New York’s offensive depth.
NHL Prediction:
This game projects as competitive early, but the Rangers’ depth and recent momentum should eventually tilt the ice in their favor. Utah’s structure can keep things close, but New York’s elite skill is likely to decide it.
Prediction: New York Rangers 4, Utah Mammoth 2
Prop Bet of the Night:
Total Goals Over 5.5 (-120)
Utah will likely need a near-perfect goaltending performance to keep this game low-scoring, something that has been difficult to rely on in recent outings. With the Rangers carrying momentum into their return home and possessing the offensive depth to generate sustained pressure, this matchup sets up for scoring chances at both ends. If New York controls play as expected, the total has a strong chance to clear the over.
Disclaimer: Projected lineups are based on available data at time of writing. Please check social media and official team sources for the very latest lineup news before locking in any daily fantasy roster or prop wagers.
Main photo by: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
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