The Vancouver Canucks head east to face the Ottawa Senators in an inter-conference matchup on January 13, 2026. The Canucks are struggling through a disappointing season, sitting near the bottom of the Pacific Division with a sub-.500 record, while the Senators are holding steady in the middle of the Atlantic Division pack, fighting for a wild-card spot. This game pits two teams with contrasting forms against each other, with Ottawa favored at home amid Vancouver’s ongoing slide. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key elements.
Venue Location
Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. This 18,652-capacity arena has been the Senators’ home since 1996 and is known for its passionate fanbase, especially in cold January games.
Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT). The game will be broadcast on TSN5 in Canada, with potential streaming options via ESPN+ or NHL Network.
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with significant absences, particularly in goal and up front, which could impact scoring and defensive stability.
Vancouver Canucks:
G Thatcher Demko (lower body): Out for at least 1-2 weeks after leaving a recent game midway. This is a major blow, as Demko is the team’s starter; expect Nikita Tolopilo or another backup to step in.
C Teddy Blueger (lower body): On IR, expected out until at least January 15. He’s a key bottom-six forward for penalty killing.
F Marco Rossi (lower body): Out for 2-3 weeks. Limits forward depth.
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F Kiefer Sherwood (undisclosed): Day-to-day, could miss up to a week but participated in a recent morning skate.
F Conor Garland (upper body): Returning after missing five games, providing a boost to the offense.
C Filip Chytil (undisclosed): Out since early January, further thinning the center position.
Ottawa Senators:
G Linus Ullmark (personal): On non-roster IR since January 8, out indefinitely. Veteran James Reimer is likely to start in net.
F Tim Stützle (upper body): Week-to-week, a huge loss for Ottawa’s top-line scoring and playmaking.
F Shane Pinto (undisclosed): Out since December, testing the team’s forward depth.
F Brady Tkachuk: Playing through nagging issues but inconsistent; remains a physical presence.
These injuries could lead to a lower-scoring affair, with both teams relying on backups in goal.
Key Player Matchups
This game features intriguing battles between offensive stars and defensive anchors, especially with injuries forcing lineup adjustments.
Quinn Hughes (VAN D) vs. Brady Tkachuk (OTT F): Hughes, Vancouver’s dynamic puck-moving defenseman, will need to contain Tkachuk’s physical, net-front presence. Tkachuk leads Ottawa in hits and shots, but Hughes’ speed could exploit turnovers for transition plays.
Elias Pettersson (VAN F) vs. Jake Sanderson (OTT D): Pettersson’s elite shot and vision will test Sanderson’s shutdown abilities. With Stützle out, Ottawa may lean on Sanderson to shadow Pettersson and limit Vancouver’s top line.
J.T. Miller (VAN F) vs. Josh Norris (OTT F): A center-ice clash where Miller’s two-way game meets Norris’ goal-scoring prowess. Miller’s faceoff wins (around 55% this season) could give Vancouver possession edges, but Norris thrives in high-danger areas.
Drake Batherson (OTT F) vs. Vancouver’s Backup Goaltending: With Demko out, Batherson’s powerful shot (10+ goals this season) could exploit Tolopilo or whoever starts, especially on the power play.
These matchups highlight Vancouver’s need for defensive structure against Ottawa’s aggressive
Recent Team Forms
Both teams are in rough patches, but Ottawa has shown more resilience at home.
Vancouver Canucks (Last 10 Games): 2-7-1
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Jan 10 | @ TOR | L 0-5 |
| Jan 7 | vs DET | L 2-4 |
| Jan 5 | @ MIN | L 1-3 |
| Jan 3 | vs BUF | L 3-5 |
| Dec 31 | @ EDM | L 2-3 OT |
| Dec 28 | vs CGY | W 4-3 |
| Dec 26 | @ SEA | L 1-4 |
| Dec 23 | vs SJS | W 5-2 |
| Dec 20 | @ LAK | L 3-4 |
| Dec 18 | vs ANA | L 2-3 SO |
The Canucks are winless in their last five (0-4-1), outscored 15-8, with poor goaltending (.878 save percentage overall this season). Their road form is dismal (0-5 ATS in last five away).
Ottawa Senators (Last 10 Games): 3-6-1
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Jan 10 | @ FLA | L 2-3 |
| Jan 8 | vs WSH | W 4-3 |
| Jan 6 | @ TBL | L 1-4 |
| Jan 4 | vs CAR | L 2-5 |
| Jan 2 | @ NSH | L 3-4 OT |
| Dec 30 | vs STL | W 5-2 |
| Dec 28 | @ CHI | L 1-3 |
| Dec 26 | vs CBJ | W 4-2 |
| Dec 23 | @ DET | L 3-5 |
| Dec 20 | vs BOS | L 2-4 |
Ottawa has a -10 goal differential over this stretch, with a 1-4 record in their last five. They’ve been better at home (over in five of last six home games), but injuries have hampered consistency.
Series History
Vancouver holds a strong edge in the all-time series, with a 37-21-2-2 record against Ottawa (61.3% win rate). In the last 20 meetings, the Canucks are 14-4-2, including wins in five of the last six. However, Ottawa has won two of the last three at home. Overall goal differential favors Vancouver by +55. Recent games have trended over the total, with high-scoring affairs common.
Betting Trends
Puck Line: Canucks are 0-5 ATS on the road recently.
Over/Under: The total has gone over in five of Ottawa’s last six home games and in recent head-to-head matchups.
Other Trends: Vancouver 0-5 SU last five overall; Ottawa 1-4 SU last five but 4-2 in last six vs. Pacific teams. Historical trends favor Vancouver (5-1 in last six meetings), but current form points to Ottawa.
Game Odds
Vancouver Canucks 6.5
Ottawa Senators – 230
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 12, 2026
