The Florida Panthers travel north to face the Ottawa Senators in an Atlantic Division showdown, with both teams hovering around .500 and battling for playoff positioning. The Panthers, coming off a tough loss to the Canadiens, look to regain momentum against a Senators squad that’s struggled in recent games but holds a slight home edge. This matchup could turn on goaltending, with Sergei Bobrovsky’s experience clashing against Linus Ullmark’s steady play, and special teams where Ottawa’s penalty kill ranks highly.
Venue Location
Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Puckdrop is scheduled for7:00 p.m. ET.
Recent Team Forms
The Panthers have gone 4-5-1 in their last 10 games, with a -5 goal differential, showing inconsistency amid injuries. They recently fell 6-2 to the Montreal Canadiens on January 8 and 4-1 to the Toronto Maple Leafs on January 6, but secured a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on January 4. Florida averages 2.8 goals scored and 3.3 allowed per game in this span, with road struggles (10-10-2 away overall).
The Senators are 4-5-1 in their last 10, with a -7 goal differential, including heavy losses like 8-2 to the Colorado Avalanche on January 8 and 3-1 to the Utah Mammoth on January 7. They won 4-2 against the Winnipeg Jets on January 3 but have dropped three straight. Ottawa averages 2.7 goals scored and 3.4 allowed, but at home, they are 11-8-2 with a better defensive showing.
Injury Report
Florida Panthers:
Seth Jones (D): Out (Upper body; week-to-week, injured during Winter Classic on January 1).
Matthew Tkachuk (LW): IR (Undisclosed; out until at least January 10).
Jonah Gadjovich (LW): IR (Upper body; out until February 26).
Cole Schwindt (C): IR (Arm; out until at least January 12).
These absences thin Florida’s blue line and top-six scoring, forcing reliance on depth players like Sam Bennett.
Ottawa Senators:
Lars Eller (C): Out (Foot; expected to miss time).
No other major injuries reported, though the team is monitoring minor ailments post-recent games. Ottawa’s depth remains intact, aiding their home performance.
Player Matchups to Watch
Projected lineups highlight offensive firepower vs. defensive stability, with both teams’ goaltenders potentially stealing the show amid injuries.
Sam Reinhart (Panthers RW) vs. Tim Stutzle (Senators C): Reinhart leads Florida with consistent scoring (projected 0.55 goals/game), using his shot accuracy to test Stutzle’s two-way game (team-leading points, strong in transitions). This matchup could decide puck possession in the offensive zone.
Aleksander Barkov (Panthers C) vs. Brady Tkachuk (Senators LW): Barkov, a Selke contender, brings elite defense (faceoff win rate 55%) against Tkachuk’s physicality and net-front presence (high-danger chances). Expect battles along the boards.
Carter Verhaeghe (Panthers LW) vs. Jake Sanderson (Senators D): Verhaeghe’s speed (3+ shots in 6 of last 10) challenges Sanderson’s shutdown ability (top-pair minutes, strong PK).
Goaltending: Sergei Bobrovsky (Panthers) vs. Linus Ullmark (Senators) – Bobrovsky projects 28 saves with a .905 save percentage, while Ullmark edges in recent form.Series HistoryThe Senators hold a 59-52-3-3 all-time edge over the Panthers in 117 meetings. In the last 10 games, Florida is 6-4, including a 6-2 win on October 11, 2025. The Panthers have won three of the last five in Ottawa, outscoring the Senators 15-10 in those contests. Games tend to be high-scoring, with the over hitting in 5 of the last 8.
Betting Trends
Panthers are 4-2 in their last 6 road games but 5-5 ATS in last 10 overall. Senators are 53.5% implied win probability, going 4-1 in last 5 home games and 7-3 ATS when favored. The over has hit in 4 of Florida’s last 6 vs. Ottawa and 6 of Senators’ last 10 home contests.
Game Odds
Florida Panthers 6.5
Ottawa Senators – 115
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 9, 2026
