Puck drop: 7:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
TV/Streaming: ESPN+ (primary); CBJNHL / CBJHN (local); Utah 16 (regional)
Both teams enter undefeated after strong season-opening wins on October 1. Utah blanked the Chicago Blackhawks 6-0 at home, led by a two-goal performance from Dylan Guenther. Columbus defeated the Buffalo Sabres 6-3 at home, with Matthew Knies contributing significantly in his debut impact. This is an early inter-conference clash with both sides looking to build momentum.
Current Rosters & Projected Lineups
Utah Mammoth (key contributors from opener and roster):
Forwards include Nick Schmaltz, Clayton Keller, Dylan Guenther (hot start with 2 goals), Vincent Trocheck, Jack McBain, Barrett Hayton, Logan Cooley, Lawson Crouse, Anders Lee, Kailer Yamamoto, Michael Carcone, and depth options.
Defense: Mikhail Sergachev, MacKenzie Weegar, John Marino, Nate Schmidt, Andrew Peeke, Dmitri Simashev, and others (Maveric Lamoureux out long-term).
Goaltenders: Karel Vejmelka (shutout in opener, 15 saves) / Sebastian Cossa. Coach: André Tourigny.
Columbus Blue Jackets (projected based on recent usage and practices):
Forwards: Matthew Knies – Adam Fantilli – Kent Johnson; Valeri Nichushkin – Sean Monahan – Conor Garland; Cole Sillinger – Charlie Coyle – Mathieu Olivier; Ryan Lomberg – Luca Del Bel Belluz / Dmitri Voronkov and depth.
Defense: Zach Werenski – Denton Mateychuk; Carson Soucy – Emil Andrae; Jake Christiansen – Erik Gudbranson (adjusted for absences).
Goaltenders: Jet Greaves (likely starter) / Cam Talbot. Coach: Rick Bowness.
Utah features a balanced attack with Keller’s playmaking, Guenther’s scoring touch, and a physical presence. Columbus emphasizes young talent (Fantilli, Knies, Mateychuk) mixed with veterans like Werenski, Nichushkin, and Monahan.
Injury Reports
Utah Mammoth:
Maveric Lamoureux (D, shoulder) — OUT (IR; surgery for dislocated shoulder; expected 4-6 months, into early 2027). Limited other absences reported for this game.
Columbus Blue Jackets:
Ivan Provorov (D, lower body) — OUT (IR; week-to-week, expected at least into next week).
Dante Fabbro (D, upper body/hand) — OUT (IR; expected at least a month).
Damon Severson (D, shoulder) — OUT (IR; week-to-week).
Isac Lundestrom (C, Achilles) — OUT (LTIR/month-to-month; recovery from surgery).
Additional depth: Caleb MacDonald, Riley Bezeau, Mikael Pyyhtia on IR-NR or similar designations. Blue line is significantly thinned.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Dylan Guenther / Clayton Keller / Utah top attack vs. Zach Werenski-led Columbus defense and Greaves. Guenther’s early scoring form and Keller’s creativity will test Columbus’s depleted blue line.
Adam Fantilli / Matthew Knies / Kent Johnson line vs. Utah’s defensive pairs (Sergachev-Weegar or Marino groups) and Vejmelka. Columbus’s young scoring core against Utah’s structured defense that posted a shutout.
Mikhail Sergachev / MacKenzie Weegar vs. Columbus’s secondary scoring (Nichushkin, Monahan, Garland). Physical and transitional play from Utah’s top pair.
Goaltending: Karel Vejmelka vs. Jet Greaves. Both enter with strong recent form (Vejmelka’s perfect shutout; Greaves as Columbus’s primary option amid depth issues).
Special teams and physicality: Both teams converted at high rates early (66.7% PP in openers). Expect battles in the neutral zone and along the walls, with Utah’s road physicality meeting Columbus’s home energy.
Recent Team Forms
Utah (1-0-0): Dominant 6-0 home shutout of Chicago with strong special teams and shot differential (32-15). Preseason mixed but showed offensive depth. Last season finished solidly (around 43-33-6 range). Traveling after one day of rest; facing a back-to-back with a game at the Rangers the next day.
Columbus (1-0-0): High-scoring 6-3 home win over Buffalo. Preseason included wins and competitive showings. Last season finished around 40-30-12. Home ice with one day of rest; blue-line injuries are the primary concern.
Series History
Limited recent history as the Utah franchise (formerly Utah Hockey Club / Arizona lineage). In the last four meetings (2024-26 period), the series is even at 2-2, with several one-goal or overtime decisions (e.g., Utah 5-4 OT win in Columbus in March 2026; Columbus 3-2 wins in Utah). No playoff meetings. Games have tended toward competitive, moderate-scoring affairs. This is the first 2026-27 matchup (season series 0-0).
Betting Trends
Both teams scored 6 goals in openers, supporting overs in early samples. Home teams and favorites have mixed early-season results. Utah’s road success last season and defensive shutdown form contrast with Columbus’s depleted defense. Public may lean Utah on the shutout momentum or Columbus on home ice.
Game Odds
Utah Mammoth – 115
Columbus Blue Jackets 6
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 2, 2026
