Mammoth vs. Penguins Prediction, NHL Odds & Best Bets (10/29)

Fact checked at 7:30 AM ET, Oct 29, 2026

Odds as of 6:48 AM ET, Oct 29, 2026

The Utah Mammoth (8-5-0) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (5-6-1) at PPG Paints Arena, with puck drop at 7:00 PM ET. Utah won the first meeting 5-4 in Salt Lake City, and we expect more of the same: chances at both ends and two goalies who haven't been stopping much. Karel Vejmelka is projected for Utah with an .876 save percentage, and Arturs Silovs is projected for Pittsburgh at .890. Neither start is confirmed. The total is 6.5 with the Over at -141 and the Under at +115, so the market sees it the same way.

Both of our picks need that open game. Barrett Hayton keeps firing pucks for Utah, and Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh's points leader, should have more finishers back around him tonight.

Pittsburgh has won its last two at home, 4-0 over Florida and 3-2 in overtime over Nashville, and has had four days off since. Ben Kindel and Egor Chinakhov are expected back after missing the last two games, and Evgeni Malkin, who missed the Nashville game with an illness, skated with them on the second line at practice. The club hasn't confirmed any of the three. Elmer Soderblom is on injured reserve and won't play, and Bryan Rust remains out. Utah lost 3-1 at home to Minnesota in its last game and plays on one day of rest.

Utah is -130 on the moneyline, from -120 when the game opened, with Pittsburgh at +110. Utah on the puck line, -1.5, opened +210 and is now +170.

Mammoth vs. Penguins Predictions

• Pick #1: Barrett Hayton Over 1.5 Shots on Goal (-120)
• Pick #2: Erik Karlsson Over 0.5 Assists (-125)

PICK #1: Barrett Hayton Over 1.5 Shots on Goal (-120)

Hayton has put three shots on goal in each of his last three games, against Minnesota, Tampa Bay and Seattle, and he's centering Utah's third line between Anders Lee and Kailer Yamamoto in the latest lineup. He has two or more shots in 8 of 13 games this season and in 7 of his last 10, and he hasn't been held without a shot in any of those 10. He had two against Pittsburgh in the first meeting.

Utah scores 3.62 goals a game, eighth in the league, and Pittsburgh allows 3.33, 22nd. With the total at 6.5 and the Over favored, the market expects an open game, and that means more time in the offensive zone for every Utah line. The -120 price implies 54.5%, and his current form is running ahead of that.

Last season he reached two shots in just over half his games, 36 of 67, so the price is close to fair on that record, and this season's 13 games are a small sample. His three misses in his last 10 all came within one four-game stretch. He plays about 14 minutes a night on the third line, and those minutes can shrink if Utah spends long stretches killing penalties.

PICK #2: Erik Karlsson Over 0.5 Assists (-125)

Pittsburgh's offense runs through Karlsson. He leads the team with 12 points, 11 of them assists, and has an assist in 9 of 12 games this season, including one against Utah in the first meeting and one against Nashville. Five of his points have come on the power play. He's on the top pair with Spencer Stastney and the first power-play unit in the latest projected lineup.

If Kindel, Chinakhov and Malkin all play, Pittsburgh gets three forwards back who missed the last game. Utah allows 3.31 goals a game, tied for 20th, and Vejmelka's .876 save percentage gives Pittsburgh a real chance to score three or four. One assist settles it, primary or secondary, at even strength or on the power play. At -125, the implied probability is 55.6%.

The catch is last season: he had an assist in 34 of 75 games, well under this price, so his 12-game pace is running ahead of his norm. He went without one against Florida, Dallas and Washington, and a low-scoring night leaves him short again. If the returning forwards don't play, his options thin out. Player props may settle differently in overtime at different books.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.