The 2025-26 NHL season features an inter-conference matchup between the Utah Mammoth, who are hovering around .500 amid a rebuild highlighted by young talents like Dylan Guenther and Macklin Celebrini, and the New Jersey Devils, who are pushing for a playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division with a dynamic offense led by the Hughes brothers. Utah enters after a dominant New Year’s Day win, seeking to build momentum on the road, while New Jersey aims to extend their recent success at home. This game could be decided by special teams, with the Devils’ potent power play testing Utah’s improving but inconsistent penalty kill in a contest expected to favor the hosts but remain competitive due to Utah’s offensive upside.
Venue Location
Prudential Center, located in Newark, New Jersey. This multi-purpose arena has a capacity of approximately 16,514 for hockey and serves as the home rink for the New Jersey Devils.
Puckdrop is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT, 1:00 p.m. MT).
Injury Report
Utah Mammoth: Center Logan Cooley is out indefinitely after sustaining an injury against the Vancouver Canucks in December. Defenseman John Marino remains months away from returning due to a lower-body issue. Defenseman Sean Durzi is sidelined with an undisclosed injury. A veteran forward (unspecified) is missing time with a lower-body injury.
New Jersey Devils: Forward Zack MacEwen is on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Defenseman Johnny Kovacevic is on long-term injured reserve with a knee injury.
Key Player Matchups
This game highlights Utah’s young offensive talent against New Jersey’s experienced core, with special teams and transition play likely to be decisive factors.
Dylan Guenther (UTA, F) vs. Jack Hughes (NJD, F): Guenther, fresh off his first career hat trick, brings scoring touch and speed. Hughes’ elite playmaking and agility will test Utah’s defense in rush situations and power-play setups.
Macklin Celebrini (UTA, F) vs. Nico Hischier (NJD, C): Celebrini’s rookie creativity and two-way potential face Hischier’s faceoff dominance and defensive reliability, key for center-ice control and secondary scoring.
Clayton Keller (UTA, F) vs. Dougie Hamilton (NJD, D): Keller’s quick release and power-play goal-scoring meet Hamilton’s blue-line offense and shutdown ability, potentially dictating zone entries and odd-man rushes.
Vitek Vanecek (UTA, G) vs. Timo Meier (NJD, F): Vanecek, Utah’s likely starter, must handle Meier’s shot volume and net-front presence, especially with injuries shifting lines.
Recent Team Forms
Utah Mammoth: The Mammoth are 2-2-1 in their last five games, ending 2025 on a high note with a dominant win. Recent results: W 7-2 vs. NYI (Jan 1); L 3-4 vs. NSH; mixed earlier outings showing offensive flashes but defensive lapses. They’ve outscored opponents 18-16 in this stretch, highlighted by Guenther’s hat trick.
New Jersey Devils: The Devils are 3-2-0 in their last five, starting 2026 with a gritty road win. Recent results: W 3-2 vs. CBJ (Jan 1); L 3-5 vs. FLA; W 4-3 vs. MIN; mixed earlier, focusing on comeback efforts. Outscored 17-15 recently, emphasizing special teams and home strength.
Series History
The Devils have dominated the young series, holding a 3-0-0 record against the Mammoth all-time, with a +6 goal differential. Their most recent meeting was a 2-1 win for New Jersey on December 19, 2025. As a new franchise, Utah has yet to secure a victory against the Devils, with games typically low-scoring and decided by one goal.
Betting Trends
New Jersey is 6-4 ATS in their last 10 home games but 2-3 SU in their last five overall, with the over hitting in 4 of 10 (averaging 5.8 goals). Utah is 3-7 ATS on the road this season but 4-1 ATS as underdogs in recent outings. Head-to-head, the under has hit in all three meetings (average 4.3 goals), favoring defensive play. Favorites (like New Jersey) have covered 100% in this short series.
Game Odds
Utah Mammoth 5.5
New Jersey Devils – 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 2, 2026
