The Ottawa Senators (23-19-7) face the Nashville Predators (23-22-4) in a cross-conference matchup at Bridgestone Arena. Ottawa, clinging to a playoff spot in the Atlantic, is coming off a 4-1 road win over Columbus and seeks to build momentum on their three-game road trip. Nashville, middling in the Central, has lost two straight, including a 5-3 defeat to Buffalo, and aims to capitalize on home ice where they’ve gone 13-11-2. This is the second meeting this season, with Nashville winning 4-1 on Oct. 13. Expect a gritty, mid-range scoring game with both teams averaging around 3 goals per contest lately.
Venue Location
Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Puckdrop is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET (broadcast on ESPN+, FDSNSO)
Recent Team Forms
Ottawa has gone 4-4-2 in their last 10, with a -3 goal differential, showing defensive improvements but offensive inconsistencies. Nashville is 5-5-0 over the same span, averaging 2.7 goals for and 3.4 against.
Ottawa Senators Last 10 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Goals For | Goals Against |
| Jan 20 | @ CBJ | W 4-1 | 4 | 1 |
| Jan 18 | @ DET | L 4-3 OT | 3 | 4 |
| Jan 17 | vs MTL | L 6-5 OT | 5 | 6 |
| Jan 14 | @ NYR | W 8-4 | 8 | 4 |
| Jan 13 | vs VAN | W 2-1 | 2 | 1 |
| Jan 10 | vs FLA | L 3-2 | 3 | 2 |
| Jan 8 | @ COL | L 8-2 | 2 | 8 |
| Jan 7 | @ UTA | L 3-1 | 1 | 3 |
| Jan 5 | vs DET | L 5-3 | 3 | 5 |
| Jan 3 | vs WPG | W 4-2 | 4 | 2 |
Record: 4-4-2
Avg. Goals: 3.5 for, 3.6 against
Power Play: 23.9% (10th in NHL); Penalty Kill: 78.7% (22nd)
Nashville Predators Last 10 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Goals For | Goals Against |
| Jan 20 | vs BUF | L 5-3 | 3 | 5 |
| Jan 17 | @ VGK | L 7-2 | 2 | 7 |
| Jan 16 | @ COL | W 7-3 | 7 | 3 |
| Jan 13 | vs EDM | W 4-3 OT | 4 | 3 |
| Jan 11 | vs WSH | W 3-2 | 3 | 2 |
| Jan 10 | vs CHI | L 3-0 | 0 | 3 |
| Jan 8 | vs NYI | W 2-1 SO | 2 | 1 |
| Jan 6 | vs EDM | L 6-2 | 2 | 6 |
| Jan 3 | vs CGY | W 4-3 | 4 | 3 |
| Jan 1 | vs SEA | L 4-1 | 1 | 4 |
Record: 5-5-0
Avg. Goals: 2.8 for, 3.7 against
Power Play: 20.0% (18th in NHL); Penalty Kill: 80.3% (15th)
Injury Report
Ottawa’s goaltending depth is tested with Ullmark out, relying on backups. Nashville is mostly healthy but missing a depth defenseman.
Ottawa Senators:
Linus Ullmark (G): Out (personal) – IR, expected back Jan. 24
No other significant injuries reported
Nashville Predators:
Adam Wilsby (D): Day-to-day (lower body) – Missed last two games, questionable
Ozzy Wiesblatt (RW): Recently activated from IR (upper body), available
Projected Starting Goalies:
Ottawa: James Reimer (recent starts: 2.51 GAA, .911 SV%)
Nashville: Juuse Saros (19-16-3, 3.01 GAA, .897 SV%)
Key Player Matchups
This game features veteran leadership and emerging talents. Ottawa’s offense will challenge Nashville’s leaky defense (3.39 GAA), while the Predators’ power play could exploit Ottawa’s middling PK.
Tim Stutzle (OTT) vs. Ryan O’Reilly (NSH): Stutzle (21G, 28A) leads Ottawa in points with dynamic speed. O’Reilly (18G, 29A) anchors Nashville’s top line with strong faceoffs (55%). Faceoff battles will control possession.
Brady Tkachuk (OTT) vs. Roman Josi (NSH): Tkachuk (captain, 20G, 25A) brings physicality and net-front presence. Josi (D, 10G, 30A) leads Nashville blueliners in points. Expect slot-area clashes.
Jake Sanderson (OTT) vs. Filip Forsberg (NSH): Sanderson (D, emerging star) handles tough minutes for Ottawa. Forsberg (19G, 20A) is Nashville’s top sniper. Transition defense vs. rush offense key.
Shane Pinto (OTT) vs. Steven Stamkos (NSH): Pinto (15G) adds secondary scoring. Stamkos (19G) provides veteran finishing for Nashville. Power-play implications here.
Artem Zub (OTT) vs. Luke Evangelista (NSH): Zub (physical D) shuts down for Ottawa. Evangelista (young winger) brings speed for Nashville. Neutral-zone matchups crucial.
Series History
All-time: Nashville leads 20-17-1 (38 games). Recent: Nashville won the first meeting 4-1 on Oct. 13, 2025. Predators are 6-3-1 in the last 10 vs. Ottawa. At Bridgestone Arena: Nashville 11-6-1 vs. Ottawa, winning 4 of the last 5 home games. Trends: Under has hit in 6 of the last 10 head-to-heads; average combined goals: 5.5. Nashville 4-1 SU in last 5 vs. Atlantic teams.
Betting Trends
Moneyline: Nashville -106 to -107 (underdog edge at home). Puck Line: Predators have covered in 5 of last 7 home games. Total: 6.5 (Over +100 to +110, Under -120 to -130) – Over has hit in 5 of Ottawa’s last 7 road games; Under in 6 of Nashville’s last 8. Team Trends: Ottawa 4-4-2 last 10; 18-17 SU as favorites. Nashville 5-5-0 last 10; 13-11-2 at home. Ottawa 3-5-2 last 10 vs. Central; Over in 7 of last 10 series games.
Game Odds
Ottawa Senators – 118
Nashville Predators 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, January 21, 2026
