Utah Mammoth vs New York Islanders Prediction, 1/1/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Utah Mammoth vs New York Islanders

Date: Thursday, January 1, 2026

Location: UBS Arena in Elmont, NY

TV: MSG Sportsnet

Odds/Point Spread: Mammoth (+125) Islanders (-150)

The New York Islanders (21-14-4) will take on the Utah Mammoth (18-18-3) at UBS Arena on Thursday. The odds on this game have the Mammoth at +125 and the Islanders are sitting at -150. The total has been set at 6.

The Utah Mammoth were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 1-0 loss against the Avalanche in their previous contest . The Mammoth didn't have their best offensive outing in this defeat. In the game, they walked away having not converted any of the 32 shots they looked to score on. In addition, they had 3 power play attempts but weren't able to convert one of them into a goal. Utah amassed 4 mins in the box in this game.

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When at even strength, the Mammoth have surrendered 93 goals while having 99 themselves. Utah Mammoth opponents have amassed 111 power play opportunities (18th in hockey) and have come away with 19 goals in those chances. With regard to their scoring capabilities, the Utah Mammoth have tallied 116 goals (16th in the league) this season and have conceded 112. Utah has taken 1,116 shots and holds a shot percentage of 10.4%. For the current season, they have recorded 39 points and their points percentage comes in at .500. The Mammoth so far have had 979 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .886. Utah skates onto the rink with 113 power play chances and they have scored 17 goals out of those advantages, garnering them a rate of 15.04%.

The player protecting the goal in this game is Karel Vejmelka. In his career, Vejmelka has accounted for 102 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .474. His save percentage currently is at .899 for his 10,564 mins played. Vejmelka has had 6,654 shot attempts taken against him and has recorded 5,981 total saves. Opponents have scored 673 goals versus Vejmelka in his career and his average for goals against per game is 3.13. He has accumulated an overall record of 86-107-21 and he started in 215 games. Vejmelka has participated in 227 games throughout his NHL career.

When they were on the ice last, New York played the Blue Jackets in a matchup where the Islanders took the defeat by a mark of 4-2. The Islanders recorded 2 goals of the 26 shots on goal they attempted. They had 2 opportunities on the power play in this outing but weren't able to notch a goal.

New York has tried 1,106 shots (11th in the league) and has a shot percentage of 9.76%, while allowing their opponents 1,114 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 82.73% on the other teams 110 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently comes in at 90.7%. They have a total of 123 power play chances and they have earned a power play percentage of 15.45%. The Islanders have earned 89 goals at even strength and 19 goals (23rd in the league) while on the power play. They have allowed 104 goals to be scored by way of 85 goals at even strength and 19 goals while they had less men on the ice. On the season, the New York Islanders have tallied 108 goals, 46 points, as well as a points percentage of .590.

For the opposition you are likely to see Ilya Sorokin protecting the net. Teams are averaging 2.56 goals per contest and he has allowed 695 goals in total. Sorokin's quality start rate is 64.7% and he has 176 quality starts in his NHL career. He was named a starter in 272 games and has racked up 13,469 minutes. Sorokin has amassed a career record of 137-99-38 and has played in 277 games. He has accrued 7,542 stops out of the 8,237 shots attempted against him, which gives him a save percentage of .916.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take New York (-150)

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