Game Details
Puckdrop is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET.
Venue: Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Cir, Denver, CO 80204. This multi-purpose arena, opened in 2021 with a seating capacity of 18,000 for hockey, is the home of the Colorado Avalanche and known for its high-altitude environment (5,280 feet above sea level), which can fatigue visiting teams and lead to higher-scoring games. Located in downtown Denver, it features modern amenities like a 4K video board and a passionate fan base that creates a vibrant atmosphere, potentially amplifying Colorado’s home dominance.
Recent Team Forms
The Avalanche are on a five-game win streak with blistering offense, while the Senators have dropped three straight with defensive breakdowns. Here’s a breakdown of their last five games (most recent first):
Ottawa Senators (2-3 in last 5; streak: L3):
Loss 1-3 at Utah (Jan 7; outshot 32-25, power play 0-for-3).
Loss 3-5 vs Detroit (Jan 5; allowed 3 in third period).
Win 4-2 vs Winnipeg (Jan 3; balanced scoring).
Win 4-3 vs Washington (Jan 1; held off late push).
Loss 1-4 vs Columbus (Dec 29; managed only 22 shots). Ottawa has averaged 2.6 goals per game recently while allowing 3.0, with a -3 goal differential. Road form is weak (1-4 in last 5 away), plagued by a 75% penalty kill rate.
Colorado Avalanche (4-1 in last 5; streak: W4):
Win 5-3 at Carolina (Jan 3; Nathan MacKinnon 2 goals, 2 assists).
Win 6-1 vs St. Louis (Dec 31; five different scorers).
Win 5-2 vs Los Angeles (Dec 29; power play 2-for-4).
Loss 2-4 at Tampa Bay (Jan 6; outscored 0-3 in second; note: streak before this).
Win 5-3 at Florida (Jan 4; Mikko Rantanen game-winner). Colorado has averaged 5.2 goals per game in wins while allowing 2.8 overall, with a +12 goal differential. Home form is dominant (4-1 in last 5 at Ball Arena), with a 30% power-play success rate.
Series History
The Avalanche hold a dominant all-time edge over the Senators, leading 25-15-2 in 42 regular-season meetings. Colorado has won 8 of the last 10 games, with an average total of 6.2 goals per game.
Previous Meeting (2025-26 Season): None yet; last was March 16, 2025 – Avalanche 5-2 (at Ball Arena; MacKinnon hat trick in blowout).
Other Recent Games: November 22, 2024 – Avalanche 4-1; February 11, 2025 – Avalanche 3-2 OT. The series often features one-sided outcomes favoring Colorado (average margin 2.5 goals in last 5), with the over hitting in 7 of 10 recent matchups. Home teams are 8-2 in the last 10, and Colorado has won 6 straight at Ball Arena against Ottawa.
Injury Report
Injuries are hitting the Avalanche harder with key depth players out, while the Senators have minor issues but a relatively healthy core. Updates as of January 8, 2026 (morning report; subject to change):
Ottawa Senators:
Linus Ullmark (G): OUT – Personal reasons (expected back Jan 18; primary starter sidelined, Anton Forsberg starts).
Lars Eller (C): IR – Fractured foot (expected back Jan 10; depth center missing). The Senators’ goaltending is impacted, forcing Forsberg (.905 SV%) into the starter role.
Colorado Avalanche:
Joel Kiviranta (LW): Day-to-Day – Lower body (questionable for Jan 8; if out, impacts bottom-six energy).
Devon Toews (D): OUT – Upper body (expected back Jan 21; top defenseman sidelined, major loss for blue line).
Gabriel Landeskog (LW): OUT – Upper body (expected back Jan 19; captain missing, affects leadership and scoring).
MacKenzie Blackwood (G): IR – Lower body (expected back Jan 8 or later; backup goalie out, Alexandar Georgiev starts).
Jacob MacDonald (D): IR – Hip (long-term; depth defender missing).
Logan O’Connor (RW): IR – Hip (long-term; forward depth hit). Colorado’s defense is depleted without Toews, shifting more minutes to Cale Makar.
Key Player Matchups
This inter-conference battle highlights speed and skill vs. physicality, with special teams and goaltending potentially deciding the outcome in a high-scoring tilt.
Nathan MacKinnon (COL, C) vs. Jake Sanderson (OTT, D): MacKinnon leads Colorado with blistering speed and scoring (25 goals, 30 assists); Sanderson’s mobility must shadow him to limit rushes, testing Ottawa’s blue line.
Tim Stutzle (OTT, C) vs. Cale Makar (COL, D): Stutzle (18 goals, creative playmaker) thrives in transition; Makar’s offensive prowess from the blue line (10 goals) could counter while defending, especially with Toews out.
Mikko Rantanen (COL, RW) vs. Thomas Chabot (OTT, D): Rantanen’s size and finishing (20 goals) dominate the slot; Chabot must use physicality to contain him without drawing penalties.
Goaltending: Anton Forsberg (OTT, .905 SV%) vs. Alexandar Georgiev (COL, .912 SV%) – Georgiev’s form at home could be the difference.
Betting Trends
Ottawa Senators: 19-23 ATS overall; 8-14 ATS on the road. Overs have hit in 6 of last 10, but as underdogs, 7-15 SU and 10-12 ATS. 2-3 ATS in last 5 during skid.
Colorado Avalanche: 28-13 ATS; 15-6 ATS at home. Overs in 4 of last 6, but as favorites, 25-5 SU and 22-8 ATS. 10-2 SU in last 12 overall.
Head-to-Head Trends: Over in 7 of last 10 (avg. 6.2 goals); Avalanche 8-2 SU in last 10, with home teams 8-2. Ottawa 0-6 SU in last 6 vs COL, 0-6 SU in last 6 road vs COL; over 7/8 COL vs OTT.
League-Wide: NHL overs cashing at 54% in inter-conference games; home favorites like Colorado are 60% ATS this season.
Game Odds
Ottawa Senators 6.5
Colorado Avalanche – 260
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, January 7, 2026
