NHL Game Preview: Seattle Kraken (21-16-9) vs. Utah Mammoth (24-20-4)

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The Seattle Kraken head to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Mammoth in a Western Conference interdivisional matchup that could hinge on goaltending and special teams, with both teams dealing with key injuries to forwards and Seattle’s blue line thinned. Utah, riding a three-game win streak at home, looks to leverage their balanced scoring led by Clayton Keller against a Kraken squad that’s been inconsistent on the road but boasts strong depth in net with Joey Daccord. Expect a tight, low-scoring game as injuries limit offensive firepower, potentially favoring the under in a defensive battle at Delta Center.

Venue: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT

Puckdrop is scheduled for 5:00 PM ET (3:00 PM MT local time; broadcast on ESPN+, Utah16, KHN/Prime, KONG)

Recent Team Forms

Utah has been streaky, winning four of their last five with strong goaltending from Karel Vejmelka, while Seattle has alternated wins and losses, struggling defensively in recent outings (allowing 3+ goals in four of last six).

Seattle Kraken Last 10 Games (5-3-2 record, averaging 3.8 GPG scored, 3.2 GPG allowed)

DateOpponentResultKey Stats
1/15/2026@ BOSL 2-42 G, 28 SOG
1/13/2026@ NYRW 4-24 G, 32 SOG
1/12/2026@ NYIW 4-3 (OT)4 G, 29 SOG
1/10/2026@ CARL 2-32 G, 28 SOG
1/8/2026vs MINL 2-3 (OT)2 G, 34 SOG
1/6/2026vs BOSW 7-47 G, 27 SOG
1/5/2026@ CGYW 5-15 G, 28 SOG
1/2/2026@ VANW 4-34 G, 28 SOG
1/1/2026vs COLL 1-31 G, 25 SOG
12/30/2025vs UTAW 5-25 G, 33 SOG

Utah Mammoth Last 10 Games (6-3-1 record, averaging 3.3 GPG scored, 2.5 GPG allowed)

DateOpponentResultKey Stats
1/15/2026vs DALW 2-12 G, 27 SOG
1/13/2026vs TORW 6-16 G, 34 SOG
1/11/2026@ CBJL 2-3 (OT)2 G, 28 SOG
1/9/2026vs STLW 4-24 G, 29 SOG
1/7/2026vs OTTW 3-13 G, 21 SOG
1/5/2026@ NYRW 3-2 (OT)3 G, 27 SOG
1/3/2026@ NJDL 1-41 G, 31 SOG
1/1/2026@ NYIW 7-27 G, 21 SOG
12/30/2025@ SEAL 2-52 G, 30 SOG
12/28/2025vs PITL 2-42 G, 25 SOG

Injury Report

Injuries will limit both offenses, with Utah missing top centers and Seattle without a key defenseman and backup goalie, potentially forcing reliance on depth and increasing the load on starters like Joey Daccord and Karel Vejmelka.

Seattle Kraken

Out: Matt Murray (G, Lower Body – Expected back Jan. 19), Brandon Montour (D, Hand/Upper Body – Expected back Jan. 17), Max McCormick (F, Hip – Out for season)

No other major injuries reported

Utah Mammoth

Out: Alexander Kerfoot (C, Upper Body – Expected back Jan. 17), Logan Cooley (C, Lower Body – Expected back Feb. 4)

Day-to-Day: None reported

Key Player Matchups

Without Cooley and Horvat equivalents out, focus shifts to wing battles and defense; Utah’s home blue line could neutralize Seattle’s speed.

Jordan Eberle (SEA) vs. Clayton Keller (UTA): Veteran scorers; Eberle’s finishing (16G) tests Keller’s playmaking (44P).

Matty Beniers (SEA) vs. Nick Schmaltz (UTA): Young centers; Beniers’ two-way game vs. Schmaltz’s vision (43P).

Eeli Tolvanen (SEA) vs. Dylan Guenther (UTA): Power forwards; Tolvanen’s physicality vs. Guenther’s sniping (23G).

Overall Edge: Utah’s home form and depth give them a nod, but Seattle’s goaltending could steal it if Daccord shines.

Series History

The young rivalry is even, with low-scoring affairs dominating early meetings.

All-Time Record: Tied 2-2 in 4 regular-season games

Recent Meetings: Utah won the last on 12/12/2025 (5-3)

In the last 4 games: Tied 2-2 (average score: UTA 3.8, SEA 3.5)

At Delta Center: Utah has won 2 of 2 home games vs. Seattle

Betting Trends

Kraken: 4-2 ATS in last 6; 3-7 ATS in last 10 road games

Mammoth: 1-4 ATS in last 5; 4-1 ATS in last 5 home games

O/U Trends:

Kraken: Over in 5 of last 7; under in 11 of last 14 road games

Mammoth: Over in 28 of 48 games (58.3%); under in 4 of last 7 home games

Game Odds

Seattle Kraken                  5.5

Utah Mammoth               – 192

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 16, 2026