by Rod Pearson
Friday, Oct 23, 2026
Game Time: 9:00 pm ET, Saturday, October 24, 2026
Venue: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Lightning +120, Mammoth -142; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Lightning +125, Mammoth -150; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Lightning +125, Mammoth -150; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Season Record
Tampa Bay Lightning: 7-2-0 (2nd place, Atlantic Division)
Utah Mammoth: 7-4-0 (1st place, Central Division)
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Recent Form
Tampa Bay Lightning: 7-2-0 last 9
Utah Mammoth: 6-4-0 last 10
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Utah Mammoth Preview and Analysis
The Lightning are entering this game with 14 points, a 7-2-0 record overall, and they are 2-2-0 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Vegas Golden Knights in their last game, winning that one on the road 6-2, but this is also the 2nd game of a back-to-back for them with their game against the Colorado Avalanche still to be played on Friday night. In their game against the Golden Knights, Anthony Cirelli led the team in goals scored with 2 while Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel, John Carlson, and Victor Hedman each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Nikita Kucherov led the team in assists with 2 while John Carlson led the team in shots on net in that game with 4. Andrei Vasilevskiy was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 2 goals on 34 shots with 32 saves and a .941 save percentage. Their offense has scored 31 goals this season averaging 3.4 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 23 goals against them allowing 2.6 goals per game.
The Mammoth are entering this game with 14 points, a 7-4-0 record overall, and they are 3-1-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Seattle Kraken in their last game, losing that one on the road 5-3. Logan Cooley led the team in goals scored with 2 while Vincent Trocheck scored 1 goal for them in that one. Mikhail Sergachev led the team in assists with 2 while MacKenzie Weegar led the team in shots on net in that game with 6. Karel Vejmelka was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 4 goals on 22 shots with 18 saves and a .818 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 41 goals this season averaging 3.7 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 36 goals against them allowing 3.3 goals per game.
Lightning vs Mammoth Prediction
The current betting odds have the Mammoth listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Mammoth have looked good in their games this season with their 7-4-0 record overall which has them right at the top of their division in the West. They have looked good on home ice too with their 3-1-0 home record this season. Meanwhile, the Lightning have looked good in their games this season with their 7-2-0 record overall which has them right near the top of their division in the East. They haven't been a great road team though with their 2-2-0 road record this year. The Lightning are coming off a 6-2 road win over the Golden Knights in their last one, but this isn't a great situation for them now. They have been on a road trip out West, already having trouble in their road games this season, and they are playing this game on a back-to-back. They aren't going to be rested well for this game and they have a really tough game on Friday night against the Avalanche. The Mammoth had a really hot start to the season and they have cooled off now, going 6-4-0 in their last 10 games, but they have looked great on home ice this season and are in a great situation, waiting for the Lightning. They are coming off a 5-3 loss to the Kraken in their last one too, so they will be looking to bounce back at home and will have the edge with the strong home advantage here. The best way to place a bet here is on the Mammoth to win this game.
Lightning Mammoth Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Saturday, October 24, 2026 (9:00 pm ET start time) is Mammoth 5 Lightning 2.
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NHL Betting Trends
Tampa Bay Lightning: 47-21 (+11.2 units) on the moneyline in non-conference games. 35-12 (+17.5 units) on the moneyline against poor starting goalies - saving 89.5% of shots against or less. 67-36 (+5.3 units) on the moneyline against terrible defensive teams - allowing 3+ goals/game. 37-27 UNDER in non-conference games. 17-11 UNDER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 75%).
Utah Mammoth: 90-91 (-20.4 units) on the moneyline in all games. 44-45 (-16.1 units) on the moneyline in home games. 32-45 (-13.2 units) on the moneyline when playing against a team with a winning record. 7-2 UNDER when playing against a top-level team (Win Pct. > 75%). 22-11 UNDER against good offensive teams - averaging 29.5+ shots on goal per game.
Key Injuries
Tampa Bay Lightning: Y. Gourde (C) Out - Hip.
Utah Mammoth: J. Marino (D) Day To Day - Upper Body. M. Carcone (LW) Out - Upper Body. M. Lamoureux (D) Out - Shoulder.
Notable Quotes
“That’s what he does. He’s a special talent. Guys like him don’t come around. He’s given our fans a decade of awesome.” - Jon Cooper on Nikita Kucherov after his team’s win against the Golden Knights in their game on Tuesday.
“I think the power play’s been good for us. I like when the wealth is spread like that. They came up big at key moments, too. It’s not just scoring, it’s scoring when it matters, and they had a big goal when it mattered.” - Andre Tourigny after his team’s loss against the Kraken in their game on Thursday.
Starting Lineups
Tampa Bay Lightning
LW Brandon Hagel
C Anthony Cirelli
RW Nikita Kucherov
LD Janis Jérôme Moser
RD John Carlson
G Andrei Vasilevskiy
Utah Mammoth
LW Clayton Keller
C Nick Schmaltz
RW Lawson Crouse
LD Mikhail Sergachev
RD MacKenzie Weegar
G Karel Vejmelka
Statistical Leaders
Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: Nikita Kucherov (13)
Goals: Brandon Hagel (7)
Assists: Nikita Kucherov (9)
GAA: Dennis Hildeby (2.01)
Utah Mammoth
Points: Clayton Keller (14)
Goals: Nick Schmaltz (7)
Assists: Clayton Keller (10)
GAA: Karel Vejmelka (3.04)
Coaches:
Tampa Bay Lightning: Jon Cooper (15th season)
Utah Mammoth: André Tourigny (6th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
