Mammoth vs Islanders Showdown: Start Time, Live Stream, Odds & Key Storylines

Utah Mammoth vs New York Islanders: What to Know Ahead of Today’s New Year’s Day Clash Long Island welcomes 2026 with a matinee matchup as the surging New York Islanders (22-14-4, 48 pts) host the Utah Mammoth (18-19-3, 39 pts) at UBS Arena, puck drop 3 p.m. ET. Team Form and Records • Islanders: 6-3-1 in their last 10, fresh off a 3-2 shootout victory in Chicago that featured Bo Horvat’s winner. • Mammoth: 4-6-0 over the same span, most recently falling 4-3 in Nashville despite goals from JJ Peterka and Dylan Guenther. Key Players to Watch • Bo Horvat, C, NYI – Team-high 21 goals and 33 points; his net-front presence powers the 9th-ranked Isles attack. • Mathew Barzal, C, NYI – 20 assists, elite zone entries that drive possession. • Dylan Guenther, W, UTA – Club-best 17 goals, riding a three-game point streak. • Clayton Keller, W, UTA – 33 points (12-21-33) and quarterback of a resurgent power play that has clicked at 24% over the past two weeks. Injury Report • Islanders: All-Star goalie Ilya Sorokin (lower body) remains on IR; veteran David Rittich (10-4-2, .918 SV%) gets the start. • Mammoth: No. 1 netminder Karel Vejmelka (upper body) is a game-time decision; if unavailable, Vítek Vaněček (2-9-1, 2.92 GAA) will go again. Storylines 1. First game of 2026 Both clubs open the calendar year on different tracks: New York eyes a sixth straight home win, while Utah begins a three-game Metro road swing that continues in New Jersey and Manhattan. 2. Special-teams duel The Islanders’ 51.3% faceoff efficiency (11th NHL) could tilt possession, but Utah’s penalty kill has killed 18 of its last 19 chances, giving them a fighting chance in low-event road hockey. 3. Revenge factor On Nov. 14, the Isles stole a 3-2 OT decision in Salt Lake City. Utah coach André Tourigny said his team “must be stingy in the neutral zone and manage the puck smarter” to flip the script. Projected Lines (subject to morning skate updates) Utah: Keller-Schmaltz-Guenther | Peterka-Hayton-Jenik | But-Geekie-Doan | McBain-Bjugstad-Okposo New York: Lee-Horvat-Barzal | Heineman-Nelson-Palmieri | Beauvillier-Pageau-Fasching | Bailey-Cizikas-Clutterbuck Betting & Viewing Info • Moneyline: Islanders -165, Mammoth +145 (opening odds) • TV: Utah16, Mammoth+ (regional), ESPN+ (out-of-market) • Stream: NHL App, team sites Prediction New York’s depth scoring and steadier goaltending make the Isles slight favorites, but expect a tight contest; seven of Utah’s last nine have been decided by one goal. Search-friendly keywords: Utah Mammoth vs New York Islanders live stream, Mammoth Islanders prediction, Mammoth lineup today, Islanders injury report, NHL games January 1 2026, UBS Arena hockey matchup.