Puck drop is scheduled for 10:00 PM EDT / 7:00 PM PDT
TV/Streaming: ESPN+ / Hulu Game Overview
This late-season Pacific/Central crossover matchup features two teams with contrasting playoff trajectories. Utah sits in a solid playoff position (4th in the Central Division with 82 points) and has looked sharp offensively of late, while Seattle (5th/6th in the Pacific, 75 points) is fighting for the final wild-card spot but has been inconsistent and leaky defensively. The Mammoth enter as road favorites in a building where they have historically struggled against the Kraken.
Recent Form
Utah Mammoth (2-2-1 in last 5):
- Mar 28: W 6-2 @ LAK
- Mar 26: L 4-7 vs WSH
- Mar 24: L 2-5 vs EDM
- Mar 22: W 4-3 (OT) vs LAK
- Mar 20: L 1-4 vs ANA
Utah has scored 17 goals in its last five games and closed with a convincing road win over the Kings. The Mammoth are 6-2 SU in their last eight road games overall but have shown vulnerability against strong Western foes.
Seattle Kraken (1-3-1 in last 5):
- Mar 31: L 0-3 @ EDM
- Mar 28: L 2-3 (SO) @ BUF
- Mar 26: W 4-3 (OT) @ TBL
- Mar 24: L 4-5 (SO) @ FLA
- Mar 21: L 2-5 @ CBJ
Seattle is 3-5-2 in its last 10 and has been shut out once while allowing 3+ goals in four of the last five. The Kraken’s road-heavy stretch exposed defensive and goaltending issues, though they can generate offense in spurts.
Injury Report
Utah Mammoth
- Barrett Hayton (C) – OUT (upper-body); week-to-week, expected return ~April 14.
Seattle Kraken
- Shane Wright (C) – Day-to-Day (undisclosed/upper-body); did not play March 31, possible for tonight.
- Ryan Winterton (C) – OUT (personal/family matter); expected return ~April 4.
- Max McCormick (LW) – OUT (hip surgery, season-ending).
Utah is missing a key middle-six forward, but their top-line depth remains intact. Seattle’s forward group is thinner, which could impact penalty-kill and faceoff situations.
Player Matchups & Key Lines to Watch
Utah Mammoth (Projected Top Contributors)
- Forward Lines: Clayton Keller (22G-51A-73P) and Dylan Guenther (36G-26A-62P) lead a dangerous top six alongside Nick Schmaltz (27G-38A-65P). Logan Cooley has been heating up (recent multi-goal games).
- Defense: Mikhail Sergachev (10G-43A-53P in 70 GP) and John Marino provide puck-moving ability.
- Goaltending: Karel Vejmelka (33-19-3, 2.69 GAA, .899 SV%, 2 SO) is the likely starter and has been the workhorse (57 GP). He gives Utah elite goaltending on the road. nhl.com
Seattle Kraken
- Forward Lines: The Kraken rely on secondary scoring; they rank 26th in goals per game (2.81). Without Wright (if out), the middle six is depleted.
- Defense: Struggles suppressing shots (29.3 SA/G).
- Goaltending: Joey Daccord (19-18-6, 2.81 GAA, .901 SV%) or Philipp Grubauer is expected. Daccord has been the primary option lately.
Key Matchups:
- Utah’s top line (Keller/Guenther/Schmaltz) vs. Seattle’s top defense pair – Utah’s speed and skill should create high-danger chances.
- Special teams: Utah PP 18.3% (22nd), PK 79% (16th); Seattle PP 20.4% (17th) but PK 73.6% (31st) – a major liability.
- Faceoffs: Utah 49.4% (19th) vs. Seattle 47.9% (25th).
Series History
Utah leads the all-time series 3-2-0 (goal differential +6). This season, the Mammoth are 2-0 against Seattle (both wins at home: 6-3 on Jan. 17 and 5-3 on Dec. 12). Seattle has not beaten Utah in regulation since the 2024-25 season and is 0-2-0 in 2025-26 head-to-head matchups. Historically on the road in Seattle, Utah is 0-5 SU in its last five visits, though sample size is small.
Betting Trends
The total has gone Under in several recent Kraken games (including the last two).
Utah is 6-2 SU in last 8 road games and 5-1 SU in last 6 road games vs. teams with losing home records.
Over is 7-2 in Utah’s last 9 games vs. teams with a losing record; Over is 9-4-1 in Mammoth’s last 14 Thursday games.
Utah is 1-4 SU as a road favorite of -151 to -200 range.
Seattle is 2-3 ATS and 2-3 SU in last 5 games.
