The Colorado Avalanche (35-6-9) visit the Ottawa Senators (24-21-7) in a high-profile inter-conference clash as the Avalanche look to maintain their dominant season against a Senators team fighting to stay in the Eastern Conference wild-card race. Colorado, sitting 1st in the Central Division with 79 points, boasts one of the league’s most potent offenses and elite goaltending, while Ottawa, 8th in the Atlantic with 55 points, has shown strong home resilience but continues to battle defensive inconsistencies. This matchup could hinge on special teams and goaltending, with potential for a high-scoring affair if Colorado’s power play clicks or a tight, low-scoring contest if Ottawa’s penalty kill holds firm.
Venue Location
The game will be played at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. This 18,572-capacity arena, opened in 1996, is the home of the Senators and known for its passionate “Sens Army” fanbase and intense atmosphere during key games.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT / 12:00 AM GMT on January 29).
Recent Team Forms
The Avalanche have been dominant, posting an 8-1-1 record in their last 10 games with a +18 goal differential. They’ve won six straight, including a 5-2 victory over the Golden Knights on January 25, averaging 3.8 goals per game while allowing 2.0. Nathan MacKinnon (38 goals, 55 assists) and Mikko Rantanen (32 goals, 48 assists) lead the offense, with elite power play (28%) and penalty kill (85%).
The Senators have been streaky, going 5-4-1 in their last 10 with a +3 goal differential. They’ve won three of their last five at home, including a 4-3 overtime victory over the Bruins on January 26, averaging 3.2 goals per game while conceding 2.9. Brady Tkachuk (28 goals) and Tim Stützle (22 goals, 40 assists) drive the attack, with solid power play (24%) but penalty kill struggles (78%).
| Team | Last 10 Record | Goals For (Avg) | Goals Against (Avg) | Streak |
| Colorado Avalanche | 8-1-1 | 3.8 | 2.0 | W6 |
| Ottawa Senators | 5-4-1 | 3.2 | 2.9 | W1 |
Injury Report
Injuries are moderate for both teams, impacting depth but not core lineups.
Colorado Avalanche:
Valeri Nichushkin (RW, personal): Out indefinitely (personal reasons; no return timeline).
Gabriel Landeskog (LW, knee): Out for season (ongoing knee recovery).
Artturi Lehkonen (LW, shoulder): Day-to-day; expected to play limited minutes.
Overall: Two long-term absences thinning forward depth, but MacKinnon/Rantanen line intact.
Ottawa Senators:
Thomas Chabot (D, lower body): Out 2-4 weeks; placed on IR in mid-January.
Shane Pinto (C, personal): Day-to-day; status uncertain after personal leave.
Overall: Two key absences affecting defense and center depth.
Key Player Matchups
This inter-conference clash features high-profile battles.
Nathan MacKinnon (Avalanche C) vs. Tim Stützle (Senators C): MacKinnon’s elite scoring (38 goals, 55 assists) vs. Stützle’s playmaking (22 goals, 40 assists).
Mikko Rantanen (Avalanche RW) vs. Brady Tkachuk (Senators LW): Rantanen’s finishing (32 goals) challenged by Tkachuk’s physicality (28 goals, 150+ hits).
Cale Makar (Avalanche D) vs. Jake Sanderson (Senators D): Makar’s puck-moving (25 goals, 60 assists) vs. Sanderson’s two-way play (12 goals, 35 assists).
Goaltending: Alexandar Georgiev (Avalanche, .910 SV%) vs. Linus Ullmark (Senators, .915 SV%).
Key X-Factor: Ross Colton (Avalanche C) could exploit Senators’ center depth with his two-way play (18 goals).
Series History
The Avalanche lead the all-time series 38-32-5-2 in 77 meetings. Colorado has won 4 of the last 5, including a 5-3 victory in 2025. Average total goals: 6.2, with overs hitting in 3 of 5. In Ottawa, the Senators are 3-2 in the last 5 vs. Avalanche.
| Last 5 Head-to-Head Games | Date | Result | Total Goals |
| Avalanche @ Senators | 11/15/2025 | Avalanche 5-3 | 8 |
| Senators @ Avalanche | 10/20/2025 | Avalanche 4-2 | 6 |
| Avalanche @ Senators | 03/10/2024 | Avalanche 6-4 | 10 |
| Senators @ Avalanche | 12/05/2024 | Avalanche 4-3 | 7 |
| Avalanche @ Senators | 02/28/2024 | Senators 5-4 (OT) | 9 |
Betting Trends
Puck Line: Colorado is 16-9 PL on the road; Ottawa 14-11 PL at home. Over/Under: The over has hit in 7 of Colorado’s last 10 road games and 5 of Ottawa’s last 10 overall. Trends: Avalanche 4-1 in last 5 road games; Senators 3-2 in last 5 home. Models give Avalanche 62% win probability.
Game Odds
Colorado Avalanche – 162
Ottawa Senators 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, January 27, 2026
