The Utah Mammoth are set to face the New York Rangers in what promises to be an exciting matchup as part of the NHL’s slate on January 5. Recent trends indicate that the Mammoth have a solid chance of continuing their successful history against the Rangers, having won two of their last three encounters since relocating from Arizona.
The Rangers have faced significant challenges this season, exemplified by their dismal ranking of 29th in expected goals for per 60 minutes, 24th in expected goals against, and 30th in expected goal share, reflecting their struggles on the ice. In contrast, the Utah Mammoth outpace the Rangers in all three of these critical statistics, showcasing their competitive edge.
Despite the Rangers holding home-ice advantage at Madison Square Garden, where they have a record of just 5-10-3 this season, it appears that the Mammoth are well-positioned for an upset. New York’s goaltender, Igor Shesterkin, is expected to start, but he has historically struggled against Utah, holding a career record of 1-0-1 with a concerning .842 save percentage and a 4.35 goals against average against them. The Mammoth will likely counter with Karel Vejmelka in goal, who previously defeated the Rangers by stopping 20 of 22 shots in a 3-2 victory.
For fans looking to add some excitement to the game, a same-game parlay could offer good value, particularly with Clayton Keller as a prime candidate to score. He has been on a scoring tear against New York, finding the net nine times in his last 11 games against them. Additionally, teaming Keller’s goal-scoring potential with a projected assist from Nick Schmaltz, who centers the first line alongside Keller, could yield a well-rounded betting strategy.
The odds reflect a competitive matchup, with the Mammoth sitting at +105 on the moneyline and the Rangers at -130. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden, providing an opportunity for both teams to shift momentum as the NHL season progresses.
With the Mammoth’s favorable historical performance and individual matchups, fans and bettors alike may have reason to feel optimistic about Utah’s prospects in this game.