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. In this edition, we look at the Utah Mammoth taking on the Los Angeles Kings. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.
NHL Predictions: Utah Mammoth vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Mammoth 1-1 Kings
How to Watch: US TV: KCAL; FDSNSC; Utah16; ESPN+
Time: 9:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Credit Image: © Andy Martin Jr./ZUMAPRESS.com
The Mammoth Side
The Mammoth (37-30-6) head to Los Angeles after losing 7-4 to the Washington Capitals on Thursday. An Alex Ovechkin hat trick was the difference for the Capitals. Rising star Dylan Guenther continues to have a fantastic offensive season for Utah. He scored a pair of goals against Washington and now has a career-high 36 goals on the year. That’s ninth in the NHL and first on the Mammoth. Guenther also set a new career-high in points with 61.
Utah remains in the hunt for a Stanley Cup Playoff spot. They still occupy the first Wild Card in the Western Conference with 80 points, ahead of the Nashville Predators.
Vitek Vanecek started against the Capitals before being pulled, so expect Karel Vejmelka (32-19-3) to start versus the Kings.
Injuries: Barrett Hayton
The Kings Side
The Kings (29-25-18) return home after shutting out the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 on Thursday. Darcy Kuemper (18-13-13) made 19 saves in the victory. Artemi Panarin scored again and now has 18 points since the trade. After losing Kevin Fiala to injury for the rest of the year, the Kings needed a spark and Panarin has delivered so far. He’s especially provided a boost to Anze Kopitar, who has 11 points in 16 games with Panarin on his wing. They also have five points each on the power play in that span.
Like Utah, the Kings are also trying to make the playoffs. Los Angeles is currently one point behind the Predators for the second Wild Card spot in the West, and four behind the Mammoth. Kopitar hopes to make the postseason in his final NHL season.
The Kings need points, so Kuemper will likely start against Utah.
Injuries: Kevin Fiala, Andrei Kuzmenko
NHL Predictions
The Mammoth and Kings are battling for the same playoff positioning, so this is a crucial game for both teams. A Utah win would keep them in the first Western Conference Wild Card position, while a Los Angeles win and Nashville defeat would push the Kings into the second Wild Card. Both teams are very good defensively. Utah’s ranked seventh in goals against per game, while Los Angeles is ranked eighth. The big difference between the two is goals. The Mammoth score 3.14 goals per game, while the Kings score just 2.63 goals per game. Los Angeles is 28th in that department, so that could make things easier for Utah. However, we think it’ll be a close one, with the Kings winning due to their desperation for points.
Prediction: Kings win 3-2
Prop Bets
Any time goal scorers:
Logan Cooley (+290)- Cooley hasn’t rediscovered his goal scoring touch yet, but he was recently moved up to the first power play unit. He scored a ppg last game.
Anze Kopitar (+290)- As we mentioned, Kopitar’s been strong since the Olympics ended and has formed chemistry with Panarin. Don’t forget, he has 14 20+ goal seasons to his name.
Projected lineups are based on available data at the 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.
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