The Utah Mammoth kick off their 2026-27 season tonight as a heavy 67% home favorite against the Chicago Blackhawks, with puck drop scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City./p>
Chicago was dominated in its season opener, and my Blackhawks vs. Mammoth prediction and NHL picks expect the hosts to walk away with a comfortable victory on Thursday, Oct. 1.
Blackhawks vs Mammoth prediction: Mammoth -1.5
Play to 50%
The Utah Mammoth put together a respectable 2025-26 campaign, scoring 3.27 goals per game and making the playoffs before bowing out in the first round. The organization also added some veteran offensive help this summer, most notably Vincent Trocheck.
Starting their season at home is a huge benefit, and the Mammoth will face a Chicago Blackhawks team that just got smacked around by the Vegas Golden Knights. Chicago lost 5-2, was outshot 37-26, and remains without franchise cornerstone Connor Bedard.
Utah hasn't exactly played well against the Hawks in recent memory, but the visitors aren't at full strength, and their first game of the campaign didn't exactly inspire confidence.
I'll happily take the Mammoth at -1.5.
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Blackhawks vs Mammoth combo
My combo for tonight puts the Mammoth moneyline alongside props for Patrick Kane and Dylan Guenther.
Kane was impressive in the season opener, scoring one of Chicago's two goals, and he played the second-most minutes of any Blackhawks player with four total shots. With Bedard out, Kane's role expands, and he is skating on the top line and PP1.
Guenther was a monster for Utah last season, and I also have him below to score. When it comes to chances, the youngster averaged 3.06 shots on goal per game, and 2.75 vs. Chicago. Guenther also led the Mammoth by a mile in unblocked shot attempts, averaging 3.46 per night at even strength.
Blackhawks vs Mammoth combo
- Mammoth moneyline
- Patrick Kane Over 0.5 points
- Dylan Guenther Over 2.5 shots on goal
TOP PICK
Blackhawks vs Mammoth player prop: Clayton Keller Over 2.5 SOG
Play up to 63%.
Clayton Keller averaged 2.74 SOG per game last season and 2.73 at home.
Chicago allowed 37 shots in its season opener, and Keller is one of Utah's most productive offensive pieces.
He also averaged 2.85 unblocked shot attempts per game at 5-on-5 last season, ranking second on the Mammoth with 234 iFF.
Keller will be busy tonight.
COVERS INTEL: Keller averaged 3.25 SOG in four meetings with the Blackhawks last season, who ranked fifth-worst in the NHL in shots allowed.Blackhawks vs Mammoth goal scorer: Dylan Guenther
Play up to 45%.
Guenther led the Mammoth last season with a career-high 40 goals, and the 23-year-old looks to build on that production. I'm eyeing him to make some noise tonight after finding the back of the net twice in four meetings with the Blackhawks in 2025-26.
Guenther scored 23 of his goals at home and was third on Utah at 5-on-5 with 73 individual high-danger chances and was second on the team with 17.11 expected goals at even strength last season.
With the winger skating on the top power-play unit, he'll have additional opportunities to find the back of the net against a Chicago defense that already showed some vulnerabilities in its opener.
- Top picks: 1-1, -1.04 units
- Combos: 0-3, -3.00
Blackhawks vs Mammoth odds
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
- Moneyline: Blackhawks 35% | Mammoth 67%
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (56%) | Under 5.5 (45%)
- Spread: Blackhawks +1.5 (59%) | Mammoth -1.5 (44%)
For the full slate of NHL matchups, check out our NHL odds board!
Blackhawks vs Mammoth trend
The Mammoth have hit the first-period game total Over in 19 of their last 25 games (+11.25 Units / 34% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends.
How to watch Blackhawks vs Mammoth
| Location | Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Date | Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026 |
| Puck drop | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | Disney+ |
Blackhawks vs Mammoth latest injuries
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