Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Seattle Kraken taking on the Utah Mammoth. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.
NHL Predictions
Seattle Kraken vs Utah Mammoth
2024-25 Season Series: Krake 2-1 Mammoth
US TV: KHN; KONG; Utah16; ESPN+
Time: 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
This round of NHL predictions is focused on a Western Conference matchup between the Seattle Kraken and the Utah Mammoth. Friday night’s matchup is the first meeting between the two clubs for the 2025-26 season. The Kraken won last year’s season series, two games to one.
Both clubs have been struggling as of late, with only three wins in the last 10 games. The two teams are on the outside looking in of the Stanley Cup Playoff picture. Seattle and Utah are hoping a win and two points can be an early Christmas present to get each team back on track.
Let’s take a look at the statistics and storylines in this round of NHL predictions from the Beehive State.
The Kraken Story
Seattle has struggled to put the puck in the net this campaign, as it is 31st in goals per game with a 2.50 average. The Kraken have also struggled on the penalty kill, with a 67.1 percent success rate. That number is dead last in the league so far this season. Seattle is 3-6-1 in its last 10 games heading into this road matchup.
Joey Daccord is expected to draw the start for Seattle, but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Daccord is 8-7-4 with a 2.94 goals-against-average and an. 893 save percentage. He’ll have to improve those numbers if the Kraken wants to end the calendar year on a positive note.
Jordan Eberle leads the club in goals (9) and points (18) so far this campaign. Matty Beniers is tops in assists for the Kraken with 13.
The Mammoth Story
Utah has been hit by the injury bug and is really missing Logan Cooley. The Mammoth enters this matchup with a 3-7 mark in their previous 10 games. Both Seattle and Utah are near the bottom of the league in faceoff percentage, which is under 50 percent for both teams.
Karel Vejmelka is the probable starter for the artists formerly known as the Utah Hockey Club. Vejmelka has a 12-9-2 record, with a 2.72 GAA and a .895 save percentage. Utah’s goalies will also have to step up to get back into the mix.
Nick Schmaltz is the team’s leader in points with 26, but Dylan Guenther is tops in goals with 13. Cooley leads the team in assists with 18, but is out of the lineup for the foreseeable future.
Prediciton
Both teams are trying to get moving up the standings and would love a win. However, the Kraken’s struggles to score have been a massive red flag. Seattle is also 5-5-3 away from home this campaign.
Utah does a better job of scoring goals. That should be enough to carry it to the home victory,
Prediction: Mammoth win 3-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. The over/under for this Western Conference matchup is 5.5, and we like the under in this game.
As for individual props, go with Vince Dunn to get at least one assist for Seattle. On the Utah side of things, take Guenther to score an anytime goal.
Main photo by: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Dec 12 Seattle Kraken vs Utah Mammoth appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.