The Utah Mammoth conclude a three-game Eastern road swing with a visit to the surging Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. Detroit, atop the Atlantic Division with strong recent play led by Alex DeBrincat, aims for a third straight win, while Utah seeks consistency amid key absences and an up-and-down season.
Game Details
Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Puck Drop: 7:30 PM ET (5:30 PM MT)
Venue: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Broadcast: TNT (national), Bally Sports Detroit (Red Wings), Utah local/streaming, ESPN+
Detroit (41 points) leads the Atlantic and boasts excellent home form, while Utah (33-35 points range) fights for a Western wildcard spot. The Red Wings opened as moderate home favorites, with the total set high reflecting Detroit’s offensive surge.
Injury Report
Utah Mammoth:
Out/IR: Logan Cooley (C – lower-body, out weeks)
Out/IR: Alexander Kerfoot (C – injury)
Depth forwards impacted; increased reliance on Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz.
Significant holes in forward depth limit Utah’s scoring options.
Detroit Red Wings:
Relatively healthy; no major absences reported on top lines.
Monitoring minor day-to-day (e.g., potential lingering from recent games), but core like Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat, and Moritz Seider available.
Goaltending stable with Alex Lyon or Cam Talbot expected.
Recent Team Forms
Detroit is rolling, while Utah shows flashes but lacks consistency.
Utah Mammoth (mixed on road trip, ~4-5-1 last 10):
Inconsistent results with defensive lapses:
Recent: Split road games, including a loss where Vitek Vanecek struggled (3.43 GAA in last six).
Offensive bursts from Keller but poor recent goaltending and secondary scoring.
Detroit Red Wings (6-1-2 in last nine, red-hot December):
Strong momentum with balanced attack:
Dec 16: Win vs. New York Islanders (Alex DeBrincat 2 goals in third period)
Prior: Shutout win; dominating at home.
DeBrincat heating up; power play clicking.
Key Player Matchups
Clayton Keller (UTA) vs. Moritz Seider (DET): Keller’s skill and shot volume (goal prop available) vs. Seider’s physical, shutdown defense — critical for Utah’s top line.
Dylan Larkin/Lucas Raymond (DET) vs. Utah Defense (Mikhail Sergachev/Sean Durzi): Larkin’s speed and playmaking vs. Utah’s depleted back end without Cooley/Kerfoot support.
Alex DeBrincat (DET) vs. Mammoth Back End: DeBrincat red-hot (multi-goal games) could exploit Utah’s transitions.
Goaltending: Karel Vejmelka or Vitek Vanecek (UTA, recent struggles) vs. Alex Lyon/Cam Talbot (DET) – Detroit’s edge in net.
Series History
New franchise identity, but limited meetings (former Arizona roots). Recent: Split or close games, with Detroit holding a slight edge in the brief 2025-26 series (e.g., 1-1 or competitive). Games typically mid-to-high scoring with strong special teams deciding outcomes. No blowouts; often one-goal affairs.
Betting Trends
Key Trends:
Red Wings: Excellent ATS at home; 6-1-2 SU recently; overs hitting with offensive output.
Mammoth: Struggling as road underdogs; Vanecek poor form dragging totals.
Head-to-head: Limited sample, but leaning over 6+ goals.
Game Odds
Utah Mammoth 6.5
Detroit Red Wings – 125
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, December 16, 2025
