Utah Mammoth take on Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of the NHL Playoffs on April 19, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena. This matchup features a rising Utah side making their playoff debut against a well-balanced and experienced Vegas team that enters the postseason in strong form.
Match Details
| Match | Utah Mammoth vs Vegas Golden Knights |
|---|---|
| League | NHL Playoffs |
| Game | Game 1 |
| Date | 19 April 2026 |
| Venue | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas |
| Time | 10:00 PM ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Team Overview
| Team | Record | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegas Golden Knights | 39-26-17 | 95 | +15 |
| Utah Mammoth | 43-33-6 | — | +28 |
Vegas finished as division leaders, while Utah impressed in their debut season with strong attacking numbers.
Recent Form
Vegas Golden Knights Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 16 | Kraken | Win 4-1 |
| Apr 14 | Jets | Win 6-2 |
| Apr 12 | Avalanche | Win 3-2 |
| Apr 10 | Kraken | Loss 3-4 |
| Apr 08 | Canucks | Win 2-1 |
Vegas are in excellent form, winning four of their last five matches.
Utah Mammoth Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 17 | Blues | Loss 3-5 |
| Apr 15 | Jets | Win 5-3 |
| Apr 13 | Flames | Loss 1-4 |
| Apr 12 | Hurricanes | Loss 1-4 |
| Apr 10 | Predators | Win 4-1 |
Utah have been inconsistent recently but remain dangerous in attack.
Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Vegas | Utah |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Meetings | 1 Win | 2 Wins |
| Last Match | Loss 0-4 | Win 4-0 |
Utah have had the edge this season, winning two of three meetings with strong defensive performances.
Key Players to Watch
Vegas Golden Knights
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Jack Eichel | Playmaker and scorer |
| Mitch Marner | Assist provider |
| Mark Stone | Two-way leader |
Vegas’ top line brings creativity, scoring, and control of the game.
Utah Mammoth
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Clayton Keller | Playmaker |
| Nick Schmaltz | Consistent scorer |
| Dylan Guenther | Top goal scorer |
Utah rely on speed and attacking transitions.
Projected Lineups
| Utah Mammoth | Vegas Golden Knights |
|---|---|
| Keller – Schmaltz – Guenther | Marner – Eichel – Stone |
| Cooley – Hayton – Peterka | Dorofeyev – Roy – Barbashev |
| Crouse – Bjugstad – Carcone | Marchessault – Karlsson – Stephenson |
| O’Brien – McBain – Fischer | Carrier – Howden – Kolesar |
| Valimaki – Durzi | Pietrangelo – Theodore |
| Moser – Stecher | McNabb – Whitecloud |
| Soderstrom – Nemeth | Hague – Korczak |
| Goalie: Vejmelka | Goalie: Hart |
Both teams feature strong top lines, but Vegas has more depth across all four lines.
Goaltending Comparison
| Team | Goalie | GAA | Save % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Knights | Hart | 2.71 | .891 |
| Mammoth | Vejmelka | 2.75 | .897 |
Utah have a slightly more consistent goalie, while Vegas still search for stability in net.
Injury Report
| Team | Player | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Knights | No major injuries | Available |
| Mammoth | No major injuries | Available |
Both teams are expected to be near full strength for Game 1.
Team Stats Comparison
| Category | Golden Knights | Mammoth |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Strong | Average |
| Attack | Balanced | Aggressive |
| Defense | Structured | Improving |
Vegas rely on discipline and structure, while Utah depend on pace and scoring chances.
Betting Odds
| Market | Golden Knights | Mammoth |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | -150 | +130 |
| Puck Line | -1.5 | +1.5 |
| Total Goals | 5.5 | 5.5 |
Vegas are favorites due to home advantage and recent form.
Best Betting Picks
| Bet Type | Pick |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Golden Knights |
| Total Goals | Over 5.5 |
| Player Pick | Mitch Marner Over 0.5 Assist |
Vegas’ top line chemistry makes Marner a strong playmaker option.
How to Watch
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| TV | ESPN |
| Streaming | ESPN+ |
| Venue | T-Mobile Arena |
| Time | 10:00 PM ET |
Final Prediction
Game 1 between Utah Mammoth and Vegas Golden Knights promises to be exciting with two attacking teams. Utah have shown they can trouble Vegas, especially with their speed and transition play. Their strong performances in head-to-head matches this season make them a serious threat.
However, Vegas Golden Knights enter the playoffs in better form and have a more balanced roster. Their top line with Marner, Eichel, and Stone can control the pace and create consistent scoring chances. Playing at home also gives them an added advantage.
This game is expected to be competitive, but Vegas’ experience and depth could prove decisive in key moments.
Predicted Score: Vegas Golden Knights 4 – Utah Mammoth 3
Add as a preferred source on Google
