- Matchup: Utah Mammoth vs Carolina Hurricanes
- Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026
- Venue: PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC
- Broadcast: Fanduel Sports Network
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On Thursday, the Carolina Hurricanes (32-15-5) will host the Utah Mammoth (27-21-4) at PNC Arena.
The Utah Mammoth are coming off a disappointing 2-0 defeat to the Lightning. Offensively, they struggled significantly, failing to score on 28 shot attempts. The Mammoth also had three power play opportunities but were unable to convert. They spent 19 minutes in the penalty box during this game.
This season, the Mammoth’s opponents have been awarded 156 power play chances (ranking 13th in the NHL) and netted 32 goals from those opportunities. Utah has faced 1,333 shots, maintaining a save percentage of .893. With 1,481 shots taken, Utah has a shooting percentage of 11.0%. At even strength, the Mammoth have conceded 111 goals while scoring 140. They’ve had 148 power play chances, converting 23 for a rate of 15.54%. Overall, they have accumulated 58 points, with a points percentage of .558. In terms of scoring, Utah has netted 163 goals (ranking 17th in the NHL) and allowed 143 against.
Karel Vejmelka is set to guard the net for Utah. With 238 games played in his professional career, he holds a record of 95 wins, 109 losses, and 21 overtime losses, starting in 226 of those contests. Opponents have scored 697 goals against Vejmelka, giving him a goals-against average of 3.08. He has faced 6,946 shots and made 6,249 saves, yielding a .900 save percentage across 10,592 minutes of ice time. Throughout his career, Vejmelka has achieved 110 quality starts, with a quality start percentage of .487.
In their previous game, the Hurricanes faced the Senators, securing a 4-1 victory. They managed to score 4 goals from 19 shots on goal and converted 1 of their 4 power play opportunities.
Carolina has scored 142 goals at even strength and 34 on the power play (ranking 12th in the league). The Hurricanes have attempted 1,668 shots (2nd in the league) with a shooting percentage of 10.55%, while allowing 1,265 shots against. For the season, Carolina has amassed 176 goals, 69 points, and holds a points percentage of .663. They’ve allowed 147 goals, including 118 at even strength and 29 while shorthanded. The team has had 160 power play opportunities, converting at a rate of 21.25%. Their penalty kill sits at 80.27%, defending against 147 opponent power plays, and their save percentage is 88.4%.
In goal, expect to see Brandon Bussi across the crease. He has allowed an average of 2.17 goals per game, giving up a total of 50 goals. Bussi has a quality start percentage of 69.6%, achieving 16 quality starts in his NHL career. He has played in 23 games, logging an impressive record of 19-3-1. He has made 499 saves out of 549 shots attempted for a save percentage of .909.
Who will come out on top in tonight’s NHL matchup against the spread or moneyline?
Prediction: Back Utah
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