The Ottawa Senators (22-19-7) face the Columbus Blue Jackets (22-19-7) in an Eastern Conference matchup between two teams hovering around .500, both vying for wild-card positioning. Ottawa enters on a two-game skid after overtime losses, while Columbus is riding a four-game win streak, including three at home. This game at Nationwide Arena could turn on special teams, with Ottawa boasting a top-5 power play (24.5%) against Columbus’ middling penalty kill (74.8%). Expect a competitive, potentially high-scoring affair given recent trends and the Senators’ road struggles.
Game Details
Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT)
Venue: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
TV Broadcast: ESPN+, FDSNOH, TSN5, RDS
How to Watch: NHL Network (streaming available via ESPN+)
Recent Team Forms
The Senators are 2-3 in their last five, alternating high-scoring wins and tight losses, with overtime defeats exposing goaltending issues. The Blue Jackets are 4-1 in their last five, outscoring opponents 16-9 during a home-heavy stretch.
Ottawa Senators Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Jan 18 | @ Detroit Red Wings | L (OT) | 3-4 |
| Jan 17 | vs. Montreal Canadiens | L (OT) | 5-6 |
| Jan 14 | @ New York Rangers | W | 8-4 |
| Jan 13 | vs. Vancouver Canucks | W | 2-1 |
| Jan 10 | vs. Florida Panthers | L | 2-3 |
Columbus Blue Jackets Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Jan 17 | vs. Pittsburgh Penguins | W (SO) | 4-3 |
| Jan 15 | vs. Vancouver Canucks | W | 4-1 |
| Jan 13 | vs. Calgary Flames | W | 5-3 |
| Jan 11 | @ Utah Mammoth | W (OT) | 3-2 |
| Jan 10 | @ Vegas Golden Knights | L | 3-5 |
Injury Report
Both teams are managing absences, with Ottawa’s goaltending depth tested and Columbus dealing with forward and defensive injuries that could impact physicality and depth.
Ottawa Senators: Linus Ullmark (G) – Out (Personal); est. return TBD. No other major injuries reported, but monitor for fatigue after back-to-back overtime games.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Brendan Smith (D) – Out (Leg); Mason Marchment (LW) – Out (Upper Body); Miles Wood (LW) – Out (Leg); Dante Fabbro (D) – Day-to-Day (Lower Body); Isac Lundestrom (C) – Out (Lower Body); Denton Mateychuk (D) – Day-to-Day (Upper Body).
Key Player Matchups
This game features battles between offensive standouts and defensive anchors. Ottawa’s power play (4th in NHL at 24.5%) could exploit Columbus’ penalty kill (74.8%, bottom-10), while the Blue Jackets’ even-strength scoring tests the Senators’ road defense (3.40 GAA away).
Tim Stutzle (Senators) vs. Zachary Werenski (Blue Jackets): Stutzle (team-leading points, strong playmaking) drives Ottawa’s offense with speed and vision. Werenski (18 goals, 34 assists) is Columbus’ top defenseman and power-play quarterback; expect him to contain Stutzle’s rushes.
Brady Tkachuk (Senators) vs. Kirill Marchenko (Blue Jackets): Tkachuk (physical captain, net-front presence) leads Ottawa in hits and goals. Marchenko (18 goals, 23 assists) is a sniper for Columbus; this could be a high-danger area duel.
Claude Giroux (Senators) vs. Boone Jenner (Blue Jackets): Giroux (veteran forward, faceoff specialist) adds secondary scoring. Jenner (two-way center) anchors Columbus’ checking line; faceoff wins (Jenner 55%) could control possession.
Goaltending: Anton Forsberg (Senators) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (Blue Jackets): Forsberg steps in for Ullmark (potential .866 SV%). Merzlikins (8-7-1, 3.77 GAA, .884 SV%) has been inconsistent but strong at home.
Ottawa averages 3.25 GPG (11th) but allows 3.40 (24th); Columbus scores 2.98 (23rd) but concedes 3.31 (22nd).
Series History
The Blue Jackets lead the all-time series 33-28-2-3 in 66 regular-season meetings.
Columbus has won the last two, but Ottawa holds a 5-2 SU edge in their past seven encounters overall.
Dec 29, 2025: Blue Jackets 4-1 @ Senators
Jan 3, 2025: Blue Jackets 4-2 vs. Senators
Dec 1, 2024: Senators 5-3 @ Blue Jackets
Average margin in last three: +3 for winner.
Betting Trends
Spread: Senators are 24-24 ATS overall (50%) but 12-12 ATS on the road. Blue Jackets are 23-25 ATS but 13-11 ATS at home and 11-4 ATS as favorites.
Over/Under: 6.5 (-122o / +102u).
Teams combine for 6.23 GPG, with opponents allowing 6.71. Senators games hit over 52% (25/48); Blue Jackets 48% (23/48). Over in 4 of Ottawa’s last 5; over in 5 of last 7 head-to-head.
Other Trends: Ottawa 2-6 SU last 8 overall; 5-2 SU last 7 vs. Columbus.
Blue Jackets 4-1 SU last 5; 11-4 SU as favorites this season.
Over in 4 of Columbus’ last 5 on Tuesdays.
Game Odds
Ottawa Senators – 115
Columbus Blue Jackets 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 19, 2026
