Surging Predators Face Mammoth in Salt Lake City SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — Two Western Conference teams trending in opposite directions will meet Monday when the Nashville Predators visit the Utah Mammoth at Delta Center. The Predators (16-20-0) arrive having won three straight and seven of their last 10, including a 3-2 overtime victory in Minnesota on Dec. 23. Goaltender Juuse Saros has been central to the surge, posting an 8-2-0 record with a .934 save percentage over his last 10 starts. In the win over the Wild, Steven Stamkos and Ryan O’Reilly each had a goal and an assist. Utah (18-21-0), however, has lost three of its last four and is coming off a 1-0 shutout loss in Colorado on Dec. 23. The Mammoth offense has sputtered, scoring just five total goals in those four games. Forward Kevin Stenlund, who had a three-assist game on Dec. 12, will be relied upon to help reignite the attack. This is the second meeting of the season. Utah won the first matchup 3-2 in overtime in Nashville on Oct. 11. Nashville’s recent success has tightened the standings. The Predators sit just four points behind the Mammoth, making this a critical game for both clubs as they navigate a crowded playoff picture. After Monday, Nashville begins a four-game road trip through the Pacific Division. Utah embarks on a three-game Eastern Conference road trip starting New Year’s Day. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST.