The Colorado Avalanche returned home to Ball Arena on January 8, 2026, eager to shake off an uncharacteristic two-game losing streak as they faced the Ottawa Senators in what promised to be an intriguing NHL showdown. For the Avalanche, it marked the start of a seven-game homestand and a chance to extend their remarkable 14-game point streak on home ice. The Senators, meanwhile, arrived in Denver battered from a tough loss against the Utah Mammoth the night before and staring down the barrel of a relentless January schedule packed with back-to-backs. Would the altitude, fatigue, and the league’s top team prove too much for Ottawa, or could the Sens rally and surprise the Western Conference leaders?
Entering the contest, Colorado boasted a sparkling 31-4-7 record, firmly atop the Western Conference and nine points clear of the Dallas Stars, who held two games in hand. The Avs’ dominance at Ball Arena has been one of the season’s defining stories, with fans relishing the team’s ability to collect points night after night. But recent adversity had crept in: Colorado dropped consecutive games for the first time since October, and, for the first time all season, lost two straight in regulation. A flurry of injuries had hit hard, sidelining key contributors including captain Gabriel Landeskog (upper body), top-pairing defenseman Devon Toews (upper body), Mackenzie Blackwood (lower body), Joel Kiviranta (lower body), and Logan O’Connor (hip surgery). With so many regulars out, backup goaltender Scott Wedgewood was thrust into the starting role, a situation that had already tested the team during a grueling road swing.
Despite the setbacks, the Avalanche’s grip on the division remained strong. With only eight more allowable losses before tying Boston’s 2022-23 wins record, the sense of history was palpable. Yet, cracks had appeared—especially on the power play, a unit that had failed to capitalize for weeks. As one local columnist quipped, “the power play unit looks as stale as the bag of chips your college roommate left in the pantry over winter break.” The Avs’ even-strength game continued to shine, but fans and analysts alike wondered when the man-advantage would finally click.
On the other side, the Senators arrived in Denver with a 20-17-5 mark, last in their division but only 10 points off first place in the ultra-tight Eastern Conference. The standings told a story of parity: Ottawa was just four points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second wild card spot, but ahead of only the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Sens’ season had been defined by inconsistency, and January’s schedule offered no respite—four sets of back-to-backs loomed, demanding mental and physical toughness.
“They’re obviously the best team in the league right now, and [with us] on a back-to-back, we can’t feed into their offence, we can’t force things because they’re just going to capitalize off that,” said Senators forward Dylan Cozens after the loss in Utah. “Just got to stick with our game plan and try to grind them down.” Head coach Travis Green echoed the need for resilience: “It’s one of those seasons where you don’t have a lot of downtime between games whether you win or lose. You’ve got to reset fast and get ready to play your next game.”
The Senators’ lineup reflected a team searching for answers and stability. Captain Brady Tkachuk, a player known for his physicality and leadership, was still recovering from a hand injury sustained back in October. His hand remained wrapped and required ongoing treatment and physiotherapy. “Brady is struggling to play his usual physical game,” noted one Ottawa observer, “but this can be expected when battling through recovery from an earlier injury.” The same observer urged fans to show patience, reminding them that such injuries can take up to five months for full recovery, even with diligent rehab.
Ottawa’s playoff hopes remained alive, but the path was steep. With 28 games remaining against conference rivals, the Sens would need to dominate those matchups to close a five-point gap to the final wild card spot and a nine-point deficit to third place in their division. Every point was precious, and every game a test of character.
In goal, the Senators turned to 25-year-old Mads Søgaard, hoping the Danish netminder could seize the moment and perhaps shake up the team’s goaltending hierarchy. Søgaard’s numbers in Belleville—2-8-3 record, 3.49 goals-against average, and .887 save percentage—weren’t sparkling, but Ottawa’s defensive play at the NHL level offered hope for better results. “If Søgaard can provide average NHL-level goaltending, this could work out well for both him and the Senators’ playoff push,” noted a team insider. With Linus Ullmark out for personal reasons and Lars Eller sidelined by a foot injury, the Sens’ depth was being tested on all fronts.
For the Avalanche, the projected lineup featured Artturi Lehkonen, Nathan MacKinnon (having amassed a staggering 74 points in just 42 games), and Martin Necas on the top line. Scott Wedgewood, with a 2.2 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage—sixth-best in the league—took the reins in net. The defense, anchored by Cale Makar and Samuel Girard, looked to stifle Ottawa’s attack and provide stability in front of Wedgewood. The Avs’ depth was further tested with players like Ross Colton, Jack Drury, and Victor Olofsson stepping into larger roles.
Ottawa countered with a top line of Drake Batherson, Tim Stutzle (44 points in 42 games), and Dylan Cozens. Brady Tkachuk, Shane Pinto, and Fabian Zetterlund rounded out the second line, while veterans like Claude Giroux provided leadership and experience in the bottom six. On defense, Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub led the way, with Thomas Chabot and Nick Jensen providing additional support.
As the puck dropped at Ball Arena, the odds heavily favored Colorado—bookmakers set the puck line at Avalanche -1.5 and the moneyline at -275. Yet, hockey is a game of surprises, and the Senators entered with nothing to lose and everything to gain. The matchup was broadcast on ESPN+, TSN5, and RDS2, ensuring fans on both sides could tune in for every shift, save, and goal.
With the action underway, all eyes were on whether the Avalanche would reassert their dominance at home or if the Senators, desperate for points and fueled by adversity, could spring a surprise. As the game unfolded, the storylines that had shaped each team’s season—injuries, resilience, and the chase for playoff positioning—were on full display. The outcome remained up in the air as both teams battled not just for two points, but for momentum and belief during a pivotal stretch of the NHL campaign.
As the Avalanche’s homestand continues and the Senators press on with their grueling January schedule, both clubs know that every contest counts. Fans will be watching closely to see who rises to the occasion and which storylines will define this critical stretch of the season.
