The Ottawa Senators (24–21–7) will play the Colorado Avalanche (35–6–9) in an exciting NHL game on January 29, 2026. This match pits a struggling Eastern Conference team against the top team in the league.

Ottawa Senators are in 15th place in the Eastern Conference with a 45% win rate. They have 23 wins and 28 losses overall, going 24-21-7 in all games and 12-10-4 at home.

Colorado Avalanche top the league standings with a strong 70% win percentage. They hold a 35-6-9 overall record and 15-4-5 on the road, showing great strength away from home.

The Senators have lost 67% of their last 6 games, putting them in a tough spot. They also struggle in games where opponents take fewer penalties, with a 4-10-3 record in those situations.

The Avalanche have won 15 of their last 20 games and keep a +80 scoring difference. Their defense has been solid, allowing just 117 goals all season.

Ottawa scores an average of 3.27 goals per game but gives up 3.39 goals, leading to more losses than wins. This shows their attack is okay but defense needs work.

Colorado shines with 3.96 goals scored per game and only 2.44 allowed, totaling 197 goals for and 117 against. Their balance makes them a powerhouse.

The teams have met 9 times, with Ottawa winning just 1 and Colorado taking 8 victories. The goal difference across these games is 27-53 in Colorado's favor.

Their most recent game on January 9, 2026, ended with Colorado winning 8-2. Stars like Nathan MacKinnon had 4 points, Brock Nelson scored 2 goals, and Ottawa has now lost 3 straight.

Colorado Avalanche @ Ottawa Senators (Avalanche ML)

While Ottawa is showing signs of life following the return of Linus Ullmark, they face a Colorado team that has been the gold standard of the 2025-26 season.

The Avalanche currently hold a commanding lead in the Central Division, fueled by a terrifying top line. Nathan MacKinnon is making a serious case for back-to-back Hart Trophies, entering tonight with 88 points in 50 games. However, the real story has been the seamless integration of Martin Nečas. Since his arrival, Nečas has been an elite force, tallying 62 points and providing the secondary scoring that makes the Avs nearly impossible to defend. With Nečas playing with the security of his long-term extension, he has become the perfect foil to MacKinnon’s high-speed transition game.

Ottawa, meanwhile, sits at the bottom of the Atlantic Division but shouldn't be completely dismissed. They are coming off a dominant 7-1 thrashing of Vegas and are finally getting healthy in the crease. However, the stats tell a grim story for Sens fans: Colorado has won five consecutive meetings against Ottawa, including a brutal 8-2 blowout just a few weeks ago on January 8th. The disparity in goals against is the deciding factor in Colorado's 2.34 GA average vs. Ottawa’s 3.35, suggesting that while the Sens can score, they can’t stop the Avalanche’s wave-after-wave attack.

With Scott Wedgewood (2.14 GAA, .918 SV%) expected to start, Colorado has the edge in every major statistical category. Ottawa will try to turn this into a physical grind, but the Avs’ 1st-ranked puck pursuit should eventually overwhelm a Senators defense that struggles with high-danger chances.

Finding value in an NHL mismatch requires more than just looking at the standings; you need to track the "Nečas effect" and goaltending splits. Bankroll U is the ultimate tool for hockey bettors, offering the sharp data and expert picks from our playmakers to help you decide if the Avalanche are a lock or if Ottawa is primed for a massive upset. Whether you're hunting for MacKinnon point props or looking at live betting trends, we provide the edge you need to win. Scale your strategy and grow your bankroll with Bankroll U.

The Bankroll U App is available now in the App Store.