The Columbus Blue Jackets travel north to face the Ottawa Senators in an Eastern Conference tilt on Monday, December 29, 2025. Both teams are battling for playoff spots in the Metropolitan and Atlantic Divisions, respectively, with Ottawa holding a slight edge in points (41 to 38). Columbus comes off a thrilling comeback win but has struggled on the road, while Ottawa looks to rebound from a high-scoring loss and leverage home-ice advantage amid goaltending concerns.
This matchup could turn on special teams and depth scoring, given key injuries on both sides.
Venue Location
The game will be held at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario.
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This 18,500-seat arena has been the Senators’ home since 1996 and is known for its energetic crowd, especially in divisional games.
Puckdrop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.
The game will be available on ESPN+, with local broadcasts on Bally Sports Ohio for Blue Jackets fans and TSN for Senators viewers.
Injury Report
Injuries are impacting both teams, particularly Ottawa’s goaltending and Columbus’ blue line.
Columbus Blue Jackets:
Zach Werenski (D): Out – Lower body (on IR retroactive to Dec. 20).
Isac Lundestrom (C): Questionable – Lower body (expected to be out until at least Dec. 29).
Other notes: The team is managing depth without Werenski, their top-scoring defenseman.
Ottawa Senators:
Linus Ullmark (G): Out – Undisclosed (expected out until Jan. 5).
Shane Pinto (C): Out – Lower body (on IR, expected out until at least Dec. 29).
Lars Eller (C): Out – Foot (on IR, expected out until at least Jan. 7).
Tyler Kleven (D): Questionable – Lower body (day-to-day).
Other notes: Pinto and Kleven are nearing returns, but Ullmark’s absence forces reliance on backups like Anton Forsberg.
These absences weaken Ottawa’s netminding and center depth, potentially exposing them to Columbus’ opportunistic offense.
Player Matchups
Projected lineups highlight youth and scoring potential. For Columbus: Mason Marchment – Adam Fantilli – Kirill Marchenko (top line); Elvis Merzlikins in goal.
For Ottawa: Brady Tkachuk – Tim Stutzle – Claude Giroux (top line); Anton Forsberg in goal.
Adam Fantilli (CBJ C) vs. Tim Stutzle (OTT C): A battle of rising stars. Fantilli’s speed and shot (leading CBJ with shots on goal) could test Stutzle’s playmaking, but Stutzle’s experience might control the pace.
Kirill Marchenko (CBJ RW) vs. Brady Tkachuk (OTT LW): Marchenko’s recent hot streak (two goals in last game) faces Tkachuk’s physicality and scoring touch. Expect gritty play in the corners.
Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ G) vs. Anton Forsberg (OTT G): Merzlikins’ athleticism could shine against Ottawa’s high-volume shots, while Forsberg steps up without Ullmark but has been inconsistent.
Kent Johnson (CBJ F) vs. Jake Sanderson (OTT D): Johnson’s assists (team-high) will challenge Sanderson’s defensive coverage, especially on the power play.
Without Werenski, Columbus’ defense may struggle against Ottawa’s top line, shifting emphasis to goaltending duels.
Recent Team Forms
Columbus has been inconsistent but showed resilience in their latest win, while Ottawa’s offense has been potent but defense leaky.
Columbus Blue Jackets (2-2-1 in last 5 games): Averaging 3.4 goals per game recently but allowing 3.8. They snapped a skid with a comeback victory.
Road form remains a concern (1-3-1 in last 5 away).
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Dec 28 | vs. NY Islanders | W | 4-3 |
| Dec 23 | at New Jersey | L | 3-5 |
| Dec 20 | vs. Toronto | W (OT) | 6-5 |
| Dec 18 | at Philadelphia | L (OT) | 2-3 |
| Dec 16 | vs. Pittsburgh | L | 1-4 |
Ottawa Senators (3-2-0 in last 5 games): Scoring 4.0 goals per game but conceding 3.6, with strong special teams. They dropped a shootout to Toronto but have won three of four at home.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Dec 27 | at Toronto | L | 5-7 |
| Dec 23 | vs. Vancouver | W (OT) | 5-4 |
| Dec 21 | at NY Rangers | L | 2-4 |
| Dec 18 | vs. Detroit | W | 3-2 |
| Dec 14 | at Boston | W | 4-3 (OT) |
Series History
Ottawa holds a slight all-time edge at 24-18-2-1 over Columbus in 45 meetings.
However, the Senators have dominated recently, winning 5 of the last 6 head-to-heads, including a 7-6 thriller on Dec. 11, 2025.
Games often go over the total, with 4 of the last 5 exceeding 6.5 goals. Columbus is 1-4 in their last 5 visits to Ottawa.
Betting Trends
Blue Jackets: 4-5-1 ATS in last 10; 2-6 ATS on the road; overs in 6 of last 10.
Senators: 6-4 ATS in last 10; 7-3 ATS at home; overs in 7 of last 10.
Head-to-head: Ottawa 5-1 ATS in last 6; over is 4-1-1 in those games.
Columbus is 3-7 as road underdogs, while Ottawa is 8-4 as home favorites this season.
Game Odds
Columbus Blue Jackets 6.5
Ottawa Senators – 218
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, December 28, 2025
