Columbus Blue Jackets vs Utah Mammoth Picks & Predictions for Sunday, January 11, 2026
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The Columbus Blue Jackets travel to the Delta Center to take on the Utah Mammoth on Sunday, January 11, 2026, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+. Columbus enters this matchup at 18-19-7 (9-12-3 away), while Utah comes in at 22-20-3 (11-7-1 home). This interconference matchup features two teams trending in very different directions and sits firmly on the radar for anyone tracking free NHL picks.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Road Struggles and Defensive Concerns
Columbus has had a difficult stretch recently, dropping four of its last five games, all against playoff-caliber opponents. During that span, the Blue Jackets have allowed 24 total goals, highlighting ongoing defensive issues that have followed them all season. On the year, Columbus is surrendering 3.40 goals per game, one of the weaker defensive marks in this matchup.
Offensively, the Blue Jackets are averaging 2.98 goals per game, which is respectable, but their defensive lapses often negate that production. They are also being outshot regularly, allowing 31.0 shots per game while generating 30.2, putting added pressure on their goaltending to keep games competitive.
In net, Columbus presents a wide split. One option has been solid with a 2.74 GAA and .907 save percentage, while the other has struggled significantly, posting a 4.04 GAA and .877 SV%. If Columbus is forced into the latter option, this becomes a very difficult matchup to manage on the road.
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Injury report: Miles Wood (IR), Isac Lundestrom (IR).
Utah Mammoth: Quietly One of the More Complete Home Teams
Utah has been playing strong, structured hockey, winning four of its last five, including back-to-back home victories. The Mammoth are averaging 3.04 goals per game while allowing just 2.82 goals against, giving them a clear edge in overall balance compared to Columbus.
Defensively, Utah does an excellent job limiting chances, allowing only 25.4 shots per game, one of the better marks in this matchup. That structure pairs well with steady goaltending, as their primary netminder owns a 2.63 GAA and .900 save percentage, giving Utah reliability in lower-event games.
Special teams lean slightly toward Utah as well. While neither power play is elite, Utah’s penalty kill at 81.8% stands out against a Columbus unit that has struggled to consistently finish advantages.
Injury report: Alexander Kerfoot (day-to-day).
Points To Consider
This game sets up as a contrast between Utah’s defensive discipline and Columbus’ tendency to get pulled into higher-event games they struggle to control. Utah’s ability to suppress shots and keep scoring chances to the perimeter is a major advantage against a Columbus team that has been leaking goals during this road trip.
If Utah scores first, the matchup tilts heavily in their favour, as Columbus has struggled when forced to chase games. Conversely, Columbus’ best path to an upset is turning this into a loose, high-scoring contest—but that runs directly against Utah’s strengths.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Utah Mammoth Prediction
I’m backing the Utah Mammoth on the moneyline, as they are the more complete team, are playing better hockey right now, and hold clear advantages in defensive structure and goaltending stability. I also lean Under 6.5 goals, given Utah’s ability to slow games down and Columbus’ recent struggles finishing efficiently on the road.
For a more aggressive angle, Utah -1.5 is live if Columbus is forced into subpar goaltending or falls behind early.
Best Bet: Utah Mammoth ML
Total Lean: Under 6.5
Final Score Prediction: Utah Mammoth 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 2
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