Utah Mammoth vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, 1/29/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Utah Mammoth vs Carolina Hurricanes

Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026

Location: PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC

TV: Fanduel Sports Network

PNC Arena is the site where the Carolina Hurricanes (32-15-5) will compete against the Utah Mammoth (27-21-4) on Thursday.

The Utah Mammoth were on the losing side of the ice with a 2-0 loss to the Lightning in their last outing. The Mammoth could have played much better offensively in the loss. In the game, they went scoreless on the 28 shots they attempted. Furthermore, they had 3 attempts on the power play but weren't able to score. Utah accumulated 19 mins in the box for this matchup.

Utah Mammoth opponents have earned 156 power play opportunities (13th in the NHL) and have a total of 32 goals in those chances. The Mammoth have seen 1,333 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .893. Utah has attempted 1,481 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 11.0%. While at even strength, the Mammoth have conceded 111 goals while notching 140 on the offensive side of the ice. Utah is sitting with 148 power play chances and they have added 23 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a rate of 15.54%. For the season, they have recorded 58 points and their points percentage sits at .558. In reference to their scoring capabilities, the Utah Mammoth have accumulated 163 goals (17th in the National Hockey League) this season and have allowed 143.

The player between the pipes for this game is Karel Vejmelka. Vejmelka has participated in 238 games throughout his professional hockey career. He has earned an overall record of 95-109-21 and he has started in 226 games. The opposition has been able to score 697 goals versus Vejmelka in his pro career and his goals against rate is 3.08. Vejmelka has had 6,946 shot attempts against him and he has 6,249 saves. He has a save percentage of .900 in his 10,592 minutes in the crease. Over the course of his time in hockey, Vejmelka has accounted for 110 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .487.

Their last time out, Carolina faced off against the Senators in an outing where the Hurricanes notched a victory by a score of 4-1. The Hurricanes recorded 4 goals of the 19 shots on goal they tried. They had 4 power play chances in this contest and recorded 1 out of those tries.

The Hurricanes have tallied 142 goals at even strength and 34 goals (12th in the league) while having a power play advantage. Carolina has attempted 1,668 shots (2nd in hockey) and has a shot percentage of 10.55%, while allowing the opposition 1,265 shots. For the year, the Carolina Hurricanes have earned a total of 176 goals, 69 points, and a points percentage of .663. They have allowed 147 goals to be scored by of a combination of 118 goals at even strength and 29 goals while they were shorthanded. They have a tally of 160 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 21.25%. They have a penalty kill rate of 80.27% on their opponents 147 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage sits at 88.4%.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Brandon Bussi patrolling the crease. Teams are averaging 2.17 goals per contest and he has surrendered 50 goals altogether. Bussi's quality start rate is 69.6% and he has made 16 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has made the start in 23 games and his ice time sits at 58 minutes. Bussi has accumulated a career record of 19-3-1 and has participated in 23 games. He has tallied 499 saves out of the 549 shots attempted, which gives him a rate of .909.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Utah

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