Utah Mammoth vs. New Jersey Devils Pick and Prediction for Saturday January 3 2026
Use Code WWWC The Utah Mammoth (19-19-3) travel to the Prudential Center for a cross-conference matinee against the New Jersey Devils (21-17-2). Utah enters this matchup with high spirits after kicking off 2026 with a dominant 7-2 victory over the New York Islanders, while New Jersey looks to build on their 3-2 New Year's Eve win against Columbus to maintain their position in the crowded Metropolitan Division.
This is the second and final meeting between the two clubs this season. In their previous encounter on December 19, the Devils secured a tight 2-1 victory in Salt Lake City, led by a 32-save performance from Jacob Markstrom. New Jersey currently sits as a -130 moneyline favorite, with the total set at 5.5 goals. If you are looking for more expert analysis and daily wagering insights on the full slate of games, be sure to check out the latest free NHL picks over at Winners and Whiners. Having a second set of eyes on these mid-season matchups can help identify value in lines that may not account for recent injury returns or momentum shifts.
The Rise of Dylan Guenther
The biggest story for the Mammoth is the explosive play of sophomore winger Dylan Guenther. On Thursday, Guenther recorded his first career NHL hat trick and a four-point night, becoming the first player in Mammoth history to reach the 20-goal mark this season. His chemistry with linemates Lawson Crouse and Barrett Hayton has revitalized Utah’s top six, which also saw multi-point games from Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz in the blowout win over the Islanders.
Utah’s defense has also found more stability with the return of goaltender Karel Vejmelka. After missing time with an upper-body injury, Vejmelka looked sharp on Thursday, stopping 20 of 22 shots and keeping Utah in the game during a heavy first-period push by New York. With a goals-against average of 2.68, Vejmelka gives Utah a fighting chance against a Devils team that historically plays a high-possession game.
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Devils Looking for Consistency
New Jersey has been a difficult team to pin down this season, characterized by flashes of brilliance followed by offensive droughts. Captain Nico Hischier continues to be the steady hand for the Devils, leading the team with 31 points. He was instrumental in the first win over Utah, providing two assists and winning over 50% of his faceoffs. The Devils' special teams will be a primary focus on Saturday; their power play is clicking at a respectable 21.4%, which could be the difference-maker in what is expected to be a close game.
For the rematch, the Devils are expected to start Jake Allen, who has posted a solid 2.52 GAA this season. He will face a Utah team that has struggled on the road (10-12-2) but is currently playing its best offensive hockey of the year. The Devils' defensive corps, led by Dougie Hamilton and Luke Hughes, will need to prioritize containing Guenther and Keller to avoid the same fate the Islanders suffered earlier this week.
Analysis & Betting Picks
Moneyline: New Jersey Devils (-130)
While Utah looked unstoppable on Thursday, New Jersey is a much more disciplined defensive team than the Islanders. The Devils have a distinct advantage in the faceoff circle and play a structured system that limited Utah to just one goal less than a month ago. Backed by a 10-7-2 home record and the veteran presence of Nico Hischier, New Jersey is the pick to grind out a victory in Newark.
Total: Under 5.5 (-105)
The previous meeting between these teams resulted in only three total goals, and both teams are expected to start their more statistically reliable goaltenders. Utah’s 7-goal outburst on Thursday was an outlier aided by poor Islanders goaltending; they are unlikely to find that kind of room against Allen and the Devils' top-four defense. Expect a tight, playoff-style atmosphere that stays below the 6-goal mark.
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