A high-stakes divisional battle takes place tonight at the American Airlines Center as the Dallas Stars host the Utah Mammoth. This game represents the final meeting of the regular season between these two Central Division rivals. The Stars enter the evening in a fierce battle with the Colorado Avalanche for the top seed in the division, while Utah is fighting to maintain its position in the wild-card race. Dallas has been one of the most consistent teams in professional hockey this year, though they are currently dealing with several major injuries to their top-six forward group. Utah, on the other hand, has shown significant growth in their second season as a franchise but has struggled with consistency away from their home ice.
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Utah Mammoth @ Dallas Stars
- Date & Time: March 16, 2026, 8:00 PM ET
- Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
- Broadcast: Victory+, FOX4, ESPN+
| Odds | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Mammoth | +1.5 (-135) | +165 | Over 6.0 (-115) |
| Dallas Stars | -1.5 (+115) | -195 | Under 6.0 (-105) |
Key Storylines Utah vs Dallas
The Dallas Stars are currently missing three of their most impactful offensive players. Mikko Rantanen and Roope Hintz are both sidelined with lower-body injuries, and Tyler Seguin is out for the remainder of the year following ACL surgery. Despite these absences, the Stars have won 9 of their last 10 games, largely due to the emergence of Wyatt Johnston as a legitimate superstar. Johnston shares the team lead in goals with 34 and has recorded 67 points through 66 games. Dallas also relies on the elite goaltending of Jake Oettinger, who has 26 wins and a .900 save percentage this season. Their defensive unit, led by Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell, remains one of the stingiest in the league, allowing just 2.64 goals per game.
For the Utah Mammoth, the focus is on breaking a 4-game losing streak. While they have lost those games, 3 of the defeats came by a single goal or in overtime, suggesting the team is playing better than the results indicate. Clayton Keller continues to be the heart of the offense with 64 points, while young winger Dylan Guenther has exploded for 33 goals. Utah has a dangerous power play that converts at a 16.8% rate, but they will face a Dallas penalty kill that ranks among the top 10 in the league at 81.1%. The Mammoth need a big performance from Karel Vejmelka, who is expected to start in net. Vejmelka has 30 wins this season and has kept Utah competitive in many games where they were outshot.
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends Utah vs Dallas
- Dallas leads the season series 2-1-0, with their most recent victory being a 3-2 win on January 31.
- The Stars are a dominant 22-7-4 on home ice this season.
- Utah has struggled on the road with a 16-16-3 record and has lost its last 3 road games.
- The Under has hit in 4 of the last 6 games for Dallas, as their injuries have forced a more defensive style of play.
- Utah is 32-35 against the spread this season, while Dallas is 38-28.
Best Player Props to Watch
| Player | Prop |
|---|---|
| Jason Robertson | Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-110) |
| Dylan Guenther | Anytime Goal Scorer (+185) |
| Wyatt Johnston | Over 0.5 Assists (-120) |
| Clayton Keller | Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-130) |
Utah Mammoth vs. Dallas Stars Pick & Model Projection
- Score Projection: Utah Mammoth 2 – Dallas Stars 4
- Pick: Dallas Stars -1.5 (+115)
- Confidence: 4 out of 5
- Win Probability: Utah Mammoth 35%, Dallas Stars 65%
The Dallas Stars are simply too deep and too well-coached to fade at home, even with their current injury list. Their ability to adapt their game plan to a defensive-minded approach has allowed them to continue winning close games. While Utah has elite talent in Keller and Guenther, their lack of defensive depth often shows up against high-pressure teams like Dallas. The Stars have also been excellent at closing out games, which makes the puck line a viable option at plus money. Dallas has covered the -1.5 spread in 3 of their last 5 wins, and they possess the empty-net scoring ability to secure a multi-goal victory late in the third period.
Expect a tight contest through the first 40 minutes before the Stars’ depth at home begins to wear down the Utah defense. The Mammoth are talented, but their recent surge of overtime losses indicates a team that is struggling to finish games. Look for Wyatt Johnston or Jason Robertson to find the back of the net in the final frame to seal the win. Betting on the Stars to win in regulation or taking them on the puck line offers the best value for this Monday night showdown.
