Game Details
Puck drop is scheduled for 12:30 PM CT (1:30 PM ET). Note: Game time was advanced from the original 2:30 PM CT start due to anticipated winter weather in the Nashville area
Venue: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee (home game for Nashville Predators)
Broadcast: ESPN+, FDSNSO, Utah 16, SN1, SN; available on streaming platforms like Fubo
This Central Division matchup pits the surging Utah Mammoth against a Nashville Predators team looking to build momentum at home. Utah enters on a hot streak, while Nashville has shown flashes of strong play but inconsistency. Expect a physical game with potential for high scoring, given recent trends, though weather-related adjustments could impact attendance and energy.
Utah holds fourth in the Central Division, while Nashville sits fifth. The Mammoth’s positive goal differential highlights their offensive edge, but the Predators’ home record could make this a close contest
Recent Team Forms
Utah has been one of the league’s hottest teams, winning seven of their last eight, while Nashville has alternated wins and losses. Here’s a summary of their last five games (most recent first):
Utah Mammoth (Form: W-W-L-W-W):
Jan 21 vs. Philadelphia Flyers: 5-4 OT Win (Clayton Keller 2 goals; overcame late deficit)
Jan 17 vs. Seattle Kraken: 6-3 Win (Dominant offensive output; extended streak).
Jan 14 at Edmonton Oilers: 2-3 Loss (Close road battle; defensive lapses).
Jan 10 vs. New York Islanders: 7-2 Win (Blowout; balanced scoring)
Jan 7 at New York Rangers: 4-3 Win (Shesterkin injury for Rangers aided comeback)
Utah averages 4.8 goals per game in this stretch, with Keller leading the charge. They’ve gone 7-1 SU in their last eight overall, showing strong form on both ends
Nashville Predators (Form: W-L-W-L-W):
Jan 22 vs. Ottawa Senators: 5-3 Win (Strong home performance; overcame early deficit)
Jan 20 vs. Buffalo Sabres: 2-4 Loss (Homestand opener; struggled with finishing)
Jan 18 vs. Edmonton Oilers: 4-3 Win (Clutch third period; Saros key saves).
Jan 15 at Ottawa Senators: 3-4 Loss (Road slip; power play issues)
Jan 13 vs. Carolina Hurricanes: 3-2 Win (Defensive stand; Forsberg game-winner).
Nashville averages 3.4 goals per game recently, with a 3-2 record in their last five. They’ve been solid at home (14-9-2) but vulnerable to high-scoring opponents
Series History
As a relocated franchise (formerly Arizona Coyotes), Utah’s history against Nashville is limited but inherits some from prior matchups. The teams have met five times since Utah’s inception, with Nashville holding a 3-2 edge overall. Regular Season Head-to-Head: Nashville leads 3-2, with an average combined score of 6.2 goals per game. Recent History: Utah is 2-2-1 against Nashville all-time, including inherited games. Nashville has won two of the last three at home. Most Recent Meeting: December 29, 2025 – Utah 4-3 win (Road victory for Mammoth; high-scoring affair). Trends: Games often go over the total (3-2 over in last five), with Nashville 3-1-1 in the series. No playoff history. This budding rivalry features competitive, goal-filled games, especially in Nashville.
Injury Report
Utah Mammoth:
Logan Cooley (F): On IR with lower-body injury (out extended period; last update Jan 9)
Alexander Kerfoot (F): On IR with upper-body injury (placed Jan 11)
Karel Vejmelka (G): Out with upper-body injury (since Dec 23, 2025)
Barrett Hayton (F): Out with illness (since Nov 28, 2025)
Kevin Stenlund (F): Undisclosed (since Jan 7, 2026; day-to-day)
No other major issues; stars like Clayton Keller are healthy.
Nashville Predators:
Adam Wilsby (D): Day-to-day with lower-body injury (missed Jan 22; expected return Jan 24)
Jonathan Marchessault (F): Dealing with nagging injury but expected to play (update Oct 2025, ongoing)
No other significant absences; key players like Filip Forsberg and Juuse Saros are available.
Utah’s forward depth is tested, potentially relying more on Keller, while Nashville could be at near-full strength.
Key Player Matchups
Projected lineups highlight offensive firepower and defensive battles. Here are the pivotal matchups:
Clayton Keller (Utah, F) vs. Filip Forsberg (Nashville, F): Keller, fresh off a two-goal game, leads Utah in scoring (projected 30+ goals) with his speed and shot. Forsberg, Nashville’s top sniper, counters with physicality and finishing (20+ goals). This wing clash could dictate scoring chances
Nick Schmaltz (Utah, C) vs. Ryan O’Reilly (Nashville, C): Schmaltz’s playmaking (top assists for Utah) faces O’Reilly’s two-way game and faceoff prowess (55%+). Center ice control here is crucial for possession.
Connor Ingram (Utah, G) vs. Juuse Saros (Nashville, G): Ingram steps up with Vejmelka out, boasting a recent .920 SV%. Saros, a Vezina contender, anchors Nashville with sub-2.50 GAA at home. Goaltending could decide if it goes over.
Mikhail Sergachev (Utah, D) vs. Roman Josi (Nashville, D): Sergachev’s defensive stability tests Josi’s offensive rushes (top-scoring D-man). This blue-line battle influences transitions.
Utah’s offense gives them an edge, but Nashville’s veterans could exploit injuries
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Betting Trends
Utah Mammoth: 7-1 SU in last 8 games; over in 4 of last 6 overall. Under in 5 of last 7 road games, but 6-4 ATS in last 10. Strong as favorites (5-2 last 7). Nashville Predators: 4-1 SU in last 5 games (per some sources, though recent 3-2); 12-10 ATS on the road but 14-9-2 SU at home. Over in 28 of 50 games this season. Head-to-Head Trends: Over in 3 of last 5 meetings; Nashville 3-2 SU all-time vs. Utah. Utah +1.5 has hit in 4 of 5. League trend: Central Division games in January 2026 have gone over 55% of the time.
Game Odds
Utah Mammoth – 118
Nashville Predators 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 23, 2026
