Minnesota visits Utah on Friday night, February 27, 2026, with the Mammoth listed as modest home favorites and the total posted at 6.5 goals.
The Wild enter in strong Central Division position and have played their best hockey heading into the post-Olympic stretch, while Utah is fighting to hold serve in the playoff race behind a defense-first profile at Delta Center.
Minnesota is on the road in Salt Lake City after playing Thursday night in Denver, while Utah stays home for its second game since the Olympic break.
Odds & Game Info
Odds as of 9:32 a.m. ET on February 27, 2026.
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Minnesota Wild @ Utah Mammoth |
| Date | February 27, 2026 |
| Start Time | 9:10 PM ET |
| Arena | Delta Center (Salt Lake City, UT) |
| Spread (Puck Line) | Minnesota +1.5 (-230) | Utah -1.5 (+184) |
| Moneyline | Minnesota +116 | Utah -140 |
| Total | Over 6.5 (+102) | Under 6.5 (-124) |
Team Snapshot
This table summarizes current baseline form and team scoring environment.
| Team | Record | Last 10 | ATS | O/U | ORtg | DRtg | Pace | Key Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Wild | 35-14-10 (Road: 18-8-3) | 8-1-1 | N/A | N/A | 3.31 GF/GP | 2.86 GA/GP | 28.9 SF/GP | Jonas Brodin (IR, lower body); Filip Gustavsson (day-to-day, illness) |
| Utah Mammoth | 30-24-4 (Home: 17-9-2) | 6-4-0 | N/A | N/A | 3.19 GF/GP | 2.78 GA/GP | 27.8 SF/GP | Michael Carcone (day-to-day, illness) |
Recent Form
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota’s last five results show a team generating offense in multiple game states: a 5-2 road win at Colorado, plus four straight wins before the break (6-5 OT at Nashville, 4-3 OT vs Montreal, 7-3 at Edmonton, 4-1 vs Calgary). That is not just a hot shooting week either, as Minnesota’s season-long offense is sitting at 3.31 goals per game with a top-tier power play (25.4%).
The key betting wrinkle is context. This is the second night of a back-to-back, and Minnesota had to travel from Denver to Salt Lake City. Even with a short flight, it can change rotation decisions and shift lengths, particularly if Minnesota has to protect a lead late.
Goaltending is the main variable. Filip Gustavsson is listed day-to-day with an illness, and Minnesota’s starter was not confirmed as of this writing. If Gustavsson cannot go, Minnesota has a capable alternative, but the downgrade matters most against a team like Utah that limits volume and forces you to finish fewer chances.
Utah Mammoth
Utah’s last five include a 4-2 home loss to Colorado immediately after the Olympic break, preceded by a strong run at Delta Center (4-1 vs Detroit, 6-2 vs Vancouver) and two one-goal losses (3-2 vs Dallas, 5-4 at Carolina). The profile remains consistent: Utah is tough to play against at 5-on-5, suppresses shots at an elite level (26.0 shots against per game), and generally keeps opponents out of extended cycle pressure.
Utah’s limitation is special teams finishing. The Mammoth power play is at 15.8% on the season, which creates a narrower path to separation against teams that can score in bunches. If Utah is not converting with the man advantage, it becomes harder to justify laying a big margin, and most of their edge comes from 5-on-5 play and goaltending stability.
Michael Carcone is listed day-to-day (illness). If he sits, it is more of a depth and lineup-continuity hit than a fundamental identity change, but it can affect how Utah distributes minutes in the bottom-six.
Matchup Keys
This table highlights the most relevant team-level matchup inputs.
| Category | Minnesota | Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Goals For per Game | 3.31 | 3.19 |
| Goals Against per Game | 2.86 | 2.78 |
| Shots For per Game | 28.9 | 27.8 |
| Shots Against per Game | 30.0 | 26.0 |
| Power Play % | 25.4% | 15.8% |
| Penalty Kill % | 77.2% | 78.9% |
| 5v5 CF% (shot attempt share) | 48.1% | 53.8% |
| 5v5 xGF% (expected goal share) | N/A | N/A |
| 5v5 xGF / xGA (season to date) | 124.7 / 128.8 | 130.5 / 106.6 |
- Utah’s 5-on-5 driver vs. Minnesota’s special teams edge: Utah’s 5v5 process is stronger (53.8% CF%) and they have outpaced opponents in expected goals (130.5 xGF vs 106.6 xGA at 5v5). Minnesota is below 50% in 5v5 shot share (48.1% CF%), so their cleanest edge is often on the power play (25.4%).
- Shot volume should be tighter than a typical 6.5 total implies: Utah allows only 26.0 shots against per game. Minnesota’s offense can still get there, but it usually requires either power-play volume, high shooting efficiency, or extended offensive-zone time that Utah is built to limit.
- Back-to-back and goalie status matter more against a low-event opponent: Minnesota is traveling and may not have Gustavsson fully cleared. In games where one side suppresses shots, a small dip in defensive execution or rebound control can swing the final margin.
- Discipline and penalty differential are key: Minnesota’s penalty kill (77.2%) is the weaker unit on paper than Utah’s (78.9%), but Utah’s power play is also the less efficient group (15.8%). If Minnesota stays out of the box, Utah’s biggest path to easy goals shrinks.
- Prior meeting leans Utah, but context changes: Utah won the last matchup 6-2 in Minnesota. This time Minnesota arrives in better form, but Utah gets the schedule edge at home.
Betting Trends
- Minnesota is 8-1-1 in its last 10 games.
- Utah is 6-4-0 in its last 10 games.
- Minnesota is 18-8-3 on the road this season.
- Utah is 17-9-2 at home this season.
- Minnesota is scoring 3.31 goals per game and converting 25.4% on the power play.
- Utah is allowing 2.78 goals per game and only 26.0 shots against per game.
- Utah’s power play is 15.8% on the season, a potential limiter in games that tighten up at 5-on-5.
- Minnesota is playing its second game in two nights, while Utah last played on February 25.
Best Bet
Under 6.5 (-124)
Utah plays a shot-suppressing, low-volume style at home (26.0 shots against per game), and both teams are allowing fewer than 2.9 goals per game on the season. Minnesota can always break a total with power-play finishing, but Utah’s 5-on-5 profile tends to reduce time and space, which is especially relevant with Minnesota on a travel back-to-back and with the Wild’s starting goalie situation not confirmed. At 6.5, the under can still survive a 4-2 type result, and a 3-2 game script fits how Utah typically wins at Delta Center.
Predicted Score
Utah Mammoth 3, Minnesota Wild 2
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