Puck drop is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET (7:00 PM MT)
TV: ESPN+ (national), FDSNNO / KSTP (Wild), Utah16 / FDSNWIX (Mammoth)
Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo (regional)
This Central Division clash pits the red-hot Minnesota Wild — riding a six-game win streak and battling for the top of the West — against a Utah Mammoth team fighting for playoff positioning in their inaugural season as the Mammoth. Minnesota has been one of the NHL’s biggest surprises this year, while Utah has shown impressive home strength (17-9-2) but is coming off a post-Olympic break rust game.
Injury Report
Minnesota Wild
- Out: Jonas Brodin (D – lower body, IR; out since late January, 6-8 weeks)
- Day-to-Day: Marcus Foligno (LW – illness)
Utah Mammoth
- Day-to-Day: Michael Carcone (LW – illness; missed Wednesday vs. COL)
- Logan Cooley (C) returned from a 28-game lower-body absence on Feb 25 and is expected to play.
Recent Form
Wild (35-14-10, 80 pts – 2nd/3rd in Central): 8-1-1 in their last 10 and winners of six straight. Most recent: W 5-2 @ Colorado (Feb 26) – Matthew Boldy (2G, 2A), Joel Eriksson Ek (2 PPG), Filip Gustavsson / Jesper Wallstedt combined for 45 saves. Minnesota leads the NHL in fewest regulation losses and has been dominant on the road lately (18-8-3). They average 3.3 GPG and allow just 2.8.
Mammoth (30-24-4, 64 pts – 4th in Central): 6-4-0 in their last 10 but fell flat in their first game back from the Olympic break: L 2-4 vs. Colorado (Feb 25) – Dylan Guenther (2G). Utah is 17-9-2 at home and has tightened defensively (2.9 GAA lately), but rust showed in the middle frame. They rely heavily on Clayton Keller’s playmaking and a deep forward group.
Head-to-Head / Series History
2025-26 season (Mammoth lead 1-0):
- Oct 25, 2025 @ MIN: Mammoth 6, Wild 2 (Logan Cooley 2G, 1A)
Utah has dominated the all-time series (4-0-1 or better in recent meetings, including as the former Utah Hockey Club). The Over has hit in four of the last five encounters, with high-event games typical when these teams meet. Minnesota has struggled to contain Utah’s speed and transition.
Key Player Matchups
- Kirill Kaprizov (MIN – league-leading scorer pace) & Matthew Boldy (hot streak) vs. Utah’s top defensive pair & goaltending: Kaprizov and Boldy have combined for 10+ points in the current streak; Utah must limit their rush chances.
- Clayton Keller (UTA – 55+ pts, team leader) & Dylan Guenther (hot hand) vs. Wild blue line (without Brodin): Keller creates for everyone; Minnesota’s depleted D could be vulnerable on the rush.
- Logan Cooley (UTA – returning catalyst) vs. Wild checking lines / Eriksson Ek: Cooley’s speed and vision were missed for nearly a month.
- Goaltending: Jesper Wallstedt (MIN – 14-5-4, .913 SV%, likely starter on back-to-back) vs. Karel Vejmelka (UTA – solid home numbers). Wallstedt has never faced Utah.
Betting Trends & Advanced Stats
- Mammoth are 17-9-2 at home and 11-7 when favored by -135 or shorter.
- Wild are 18-8-3 on the road and 8-1-1 in their last 10 overall but 3-2-1 in back-to-backs.
- Minnesota is 7-0-1 in its last eight; Utah is 2-3 ATS in its last five.
- The Over has hit in 62% of Wild games and four of five head-to-head meetings.
- Road teams on the second night of a back-to-back vs. home teams post-break: mixed results, but Minnesota’s streak is hard to ignore.
Game Odds
Minnesota Wild 6.5
Utah Mammoth – 135
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, February 26, 2026
