Penguins vs Mammoth Prediction, Starting Goalies & Best Bets Tonight (Oct. 19)
By Michael Schwartz in NHL Hockey
Published:
- Uncover our most confident betting predictions and top moneyline picks for tonight’s showdown between the Penguins and the Mammoth
- Discover which lucrative player props offer the best hidden value to maximize your potential returns as these two franchises clash on the ice
- Dive into our comprehensive breakdown of advanced team statistics, projected lineups, and crucial injury updates to gain the ultimate betting edge
The stumbling Pittsburgh Penguins are currently mired in a multi-game losing skid. They hit the road tonight as underdogs to face the formidable Utah Mammoth. Led by familiar veterans like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins are desperately trying to find their footing after a sluggish start to the season.
On the other side of the ice, the dynamic attack in Utah features Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller. They have the Mammoth positioned as a strong home favorite. The squad is looking to quickly bounce back from a recent defeat with a heavy forecheck and solid 5-on-5 play.
The puck drops at 9:00 p.m. ET at the Delta Center. In this article, we will break down the NHL odds strictly from a betting angle. We want to uncover whether the road underdog holds any sleeper value or if backing the home favorite is the sharpest play.
Penguins vs Mammoth Best Bets and Game Predictions
When it comes to picking a side in this matchup, the clear lean is on the home favorites. Backing the Mammoth on the moneyline at a current trading price of 63 cents per contract is the most sensible play. This is largely due to the ongoing road woes for Pittsburgh.
The Penguins have been abysmal away from home. They have lost their last five games on the road, resulting in a 0% win rate during that span. Furthermore, they are just 1-4 on the road as an underdog over their last five games.
Conversely, the Mammoth have found their footing to start the campaign with a 6-3 overall record. They have also handled expectations well recently. The squad is 3-1 as a favorite over their last four games. Laying the price on the home side is the safest bet for the game outcome.
Top Player Prop Picks
- Anders Lee Over 1.5 Shots on Goal (-164)
- Nick Schmaltz Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-102)
Anders Lee has been a highly reliable shooting threat on home ice. The veteran forward has exceeded 1.5 shots on goal in five straight games at home. He boasts a flawless 100% success rate during that span. He is averaging an impressive 3.0 shots on goal per game in those contests.
Schmaltz has proven to be an aggressive offensive catalyst, particularly when the team is looking to bounce back from a defeat. He has exceeded 2.5 shots on goal in seven of his last eight games after a loss. This translates to an elite 88% success rate in this specific situation.
Penguins vs Mammoth Public Betting Splits and Handle
Looking at the current betting market, the public is taking a definitive stance on how this matchup will unfold. Here is a breakdown of where the majority of the money is currently flowing:
- Moneyline: A massive 83.20% of the handle is backing the home favorites.
- Puck Line: Bettors slightly favor the Mammoth to cover, taking in 61.33% of the overall puck line stake.
- Total: The public expects a high-scoring affair, with 98.44% of the handle hammering the OVER.
This public betting action indicates a massive vote of confidence in defending home ice. While we do not base our predictions solely on public splits, this heavy influx of handle firmly aligns with our official game prediction. The overwhelming moneyline handle backing the home team perfectly mirrors our top recommendation.
Penguins vs Mammoth Betting Odds and Lines
The table below outlines the current Kalshi market prices for this matchup. Prices reflect cents per $1 contract before fees.
The home squad enters this contest as a heavy betting favorite. Traders respect their strong start to the season and are factoring in the notable struggles of the visitors on the road.
If you are looking to place a wager on this game via Kalshi, buying a contract on the favored Mammoth moneyline costs 63 cents. A winning contract pays out $1.00, netting a profit of 37 cents per contract.
Conversely, backing the underdog Penguins costs 38 cents per contract. This would yield a 62-cent profit if they pull off the road upset. When calculating the vig-free implied win probabilities from these prices, the math aligns closely. The odds suggest a 62.38% chance of a home victory and a 37.62% probability of a road upset.
Penguins vs Mammoth Team Stats Comparison
When determining how these two teams stack up against each other, a quick glance at the current season standings paints a stark contrast. Utah is surging near the top of the Western Conference and sits second in the Central Division. Conversely, Pittsburgh is languishing near the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
The statistical mismatches in this contest largely explain why the betting market is overwhelmingly backing the favorites. The most glaring advantage lies in special teams, specifically on the man advantage. The home unit boasts an absolutely lethal 35.3% power-play success rate.
Furthermore, they are vastly superior at controlling the puck in the neutral zone and dictating the pace of play. Their elite 56.3% Corsi For percentage demonstrates their ability to monopolize scoring chances at 5-on-5. Defensively, they excel at suppressing volume by allowing just 22.78 shots against per game.
Projected Starting Goalies and Statistical Comparison
While official starting goaltenders are rarely confirmed until closer to puck drop, a look at the current depth charts gives us a clear picture. The Mammoth are projected to send Karel Vejmelka out to defend home ice. He currently sits at the top of the depth chart and has appeared in eight games.
For the Penguins, rookie Sergei Murashov is listed as the number one option on the depth chart. He is the projected starter for this road contest. However, Arturs Silovs has slightly edged out Murashov in total appearances this year, making him a viable alternative.
Vejmelka holds a definitive edge in both his win-loss record and his ability to keep the puck out of the net. His 2.89 goals-against average further validates the heavy moneyline price tag. Meanwhile, Murashov has struggled to secure a victory with a 0-3-1 record. His elevated 3.50 goals-against average points to potential defensive liabilities.
Projected Lineups and Depth Chart Pairings
Before placing any wagers, it is crucial to see how the rosters are expected to match up on the ice. The forward lines and defensive pairings listed below are strictly projections derived from each team’s current positional depth chart rankings. These are not confirmed starting lineups.
We have grouped the expected forward trios and defensive duos by matching their depth tier. We have also factored in the latest injury data for both clubs.
Penguins Projected Lineup
The forward combinations and defensive pairings for the visitors are dealing with some notable health concerns. Egor Chinakhov has been ruled out with a lower-body injury, forcing the bottom-six forwards to slide up. Additionally, second-pairing left defenseman Samuel Girard is questionable.
Projected Forward Lines
Projected Defensive Pairings
Mammoth Projected Lineup
Unlike their battered opponents, the home squad is bringing a mostly intact depth chart into this matchup. While Michael Carcone and Maveric Lamoureux remain sidelined, neither player occupies a spot in the top-tier forward lines.
Projected Forward Lines
Projected Defensive Pairings
Utah holds a distinct advantage when comparing these projected depth chart groupings. Their projected top line of Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, and Lawson Crouse presents a massive challenge for the top defensive pairing for the Penguins of Declan Carlile and Erik Karlsson.
Penguins vs Mammoth Injury Report
When looking at the injury report ahead of this matchup, the health disparity between the two rosters is evident. Pittsburgh is severely tested on the blue line.
- Samuel Girard (Defenseman): Day-to-Day with an undisclosed injury.
- Egor Chinakhov (Forward): Out due to a lower-body injury.
- Trevor van Riemsdyk (Defenseman): Out on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.
- Ryan Graves (Defenseman): Out on injured reserve with a lower-body issue.
- Justin Brazeau (Forward): Out with a lower-body injury.
Utah enters this matchup much healthier, allowing their top forward lines to remain intact.
- Michael Carcone (Forward): Out dealing with an undisclosed upper-body injury.
- Maveric Lamoureux (Defenseman): Out on injured reserve recovering from shoulder surgery.
Penguins vs Mammoth Game Information
The Penguins hit the road to take on the Mammoth in a crucial Western trip tonight.
- Matchup: Penguins at Mammoth
- Date: Monday, October 19
- Puck Drop: 9:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
- Projected Starting Goalies: Sergei Murashov (PIT) vs. Karel Vejmelka (UTA)