Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Time: 10:10 PM EST
TV: ESPN
Odds: Avalanche -146, Mammoth +122
A Western Conference battle is on tap for Tuesday night as the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche travel to face the NHL’s newest franchise, the Utah Mammoth. The seasoned Avalanche enter as road favorites against a brand-new team looking to make a statement in its inaugural season.
Colorado Avalanche (-146)
The Colorado Avalanche remain a perennial Stanley Cup contender, but they will head into Utah dealing with some significant injuries to their roster. The team will be without key defenseman Samuel Girard, who is out with an upper-body injury, and energetic forward Logan O’Connor, who is sidelined with a hip injury. Depth forward Joel Kiviranta is also on injured reserve.
While the absence of a top-four defenseman like Girard is a blow, the Avalanche still possess one of the most explosive offenses in the league, led by superstars Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen. Their top-end talent is more than capable of overcoming depth issues and carrying the team to victory on any given night. As road favorites, the expectation is that their offensive firepower will test the mettle of the league’s newest defensive corps.
Utah Mammoth (+122)
Welcome to the NHL, Utah! The Mammoth are in the midst of their inaugural season and have been bitten by the injury bug early. The expansion franchise has already placed defenseman Terrell Goldsmith on injured reserve with an undisclosed issue. Furthermore, veteran forward and key offseason acquisition Alex Kerfoot has been dealing with a lower-body injury since training camp, and reports from the preseason indicated the team was managing several other ailments.
As the home underdog, the Mammoth will be fueled by the energy of a new fan base. However, building chemistry and finding a rhythm is a challenge for any expansion team, and doing so with a depleted lineup makes it even tougher. Facing an offensive juggernaut like the Avalanche will be a massive early-season test for Utah’s structure and goaltending.
Prediction
While the allure of backing the new home team as an underdog is tempting, the Avalanche’s elite talent is the deciding factor in this matchup. The injuries to Girard and O’Connor certainly level the playing field and give the Mammoth a better chance at an upset, but Colorado’s core is built to win these types of games.
Utah will likely play a spirited game in front of its home crowd, but expect the Avalanche’s offensive skill to eventually overwhelm the expansion roster. The Mammoth’s own injury woes will not help their cause against such a deep and experienced opponent. Look for Colorado to weather an early push from Utah before their star power takes over.
The Pick: Colorado Avalanche (-146)
Sources:
Colorado Avalanche Injury Report and Status 2025-26 – CBS Sports
Colorado Avalanche Injury Status – ESPN
Stanley Cup Finals Game 4: Lightning vs. Avalanche Injury Report …
Predators vs. Avalanche Injury Report Today – November 2
Avalanche injury updates on Gabe Landeskog, Valuri Nichushkin …
Colorado Avalanche Injuries | Puckpedia
Avalanche injury woes continue: Ross Colton, Miles Wood out
Avalanche vs. Wild Injury Report Today – February 28 | Austin Daily …
Stars vs. Avalanche NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 5 Injury …
Avalanche Injury Update: Samuel Girard’s Upper-Body Issue