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The Colorado Avalanche head to Canadian Tire Centre to face the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 7:30 PM, with the game streaming on ESPN+. Colorado is still the class of the league at 35-6-9, and it feels like they’re trying to snap back into that ruthless, road-trip killer mode after a brief wobble. Ottawa sits at 24-21-7, and while the standings pressure is real, they just reminded everyone what their ceiling looks like with that 7-1 statement against Vegas.
This matchup is also sitting on a couple of swing variables that bettors can’t ignore. Ottawa’s goalie situation is the big one, because if Linus Ullmark is cleared to start, the entire handicap shifts. Colorado’s side is more straightforward, but there are still a few lineup question marks that can matter when you’re laying a price on the road.
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Colorado Avalanche vs Ottawa Senators Odds
These are the current betting lines, but bettors should always monitor updated latest NHL odds leading into puck drop.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | -163 | -1.5 (+149) | O 6.5 (-130) |
| Ottawa Senators | +137 | +1.5 (-183) | U 6.5 (+106) |
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Colorado Avalanche Betting Form
Colorado has been winning all year, but the way they win matters for betting. When the Avs are clean through the neutral zone and the top unit is getting set looks on the power play, they can turn a tied game into a two-goal gap in about four minutes. That’s why their puck line prices are often tempting, and also why it can feel gross laying a road moneyline when you know they can still win by margin. If you want the broader profile before you bet into a number, the Colorado Avalanche stats and results page is a good starting point.
Goaltending is the other lever. Mackenzie Blackwood is the expected starter here, but it’s not officially locked, and Colorado’s approach changes depending on who’s in net and how sharp they’ve looked lately. On the injury side, you want to keep an eye on Colorado Avalanche injury report because even one top-four defense change can show up quickly in totals and in late-game protect mode.
Ottawa Senators Betting Form
Ottawa is a tricky team to price because they can look buried for a week, then drop a game that’s basically over by the second intermission. That Vegas blowout was the perfect example. The Senators’ best version plays with pace through the middle, forces mistakes, and gets enough chaos around the crease to make even good defensive teams uncomfortable. At home, they’re also more willing to press for the next goal instead of sitting on a one-goal lead, which tends to keep totals in play even when you think a game should settle down. If you’re tracking how Ottawa is trending, Ottawa Senators schedule and stats helps frame the recent pattern.
But the whole handicap can hinge on who starts in net. Ullmark has been back with the team, yet it’s still not fully clear if he gets the crease right away or if Ottawa sticks with what’s been working recently. That’s why I’m treating Ottawa Senators injury report as mandatory reading close to puck drop, not just for skaters, but for any goalie-related update that moves the market.
Colorado Avalanche vs Ottawa Senators Matchup Breakdown
At five-on-five, Colorado usually dictates pace because they don’t need to over-commit to create chances. Their rush game is obvious, but the real difference is how quickly they re-attack after a broken play. Ottawa can hang if they’re strong on puck management, but that’s also where they’ve leaked goals in bad stretches. If the Senators start forcing plays through the middle, Colorado is the kind of opponent that turns that into grade-A looks the other way.
Special teams are a serious divider. Colorado’s power play has the weapons to punish any undisciplined night, and Ottawa can’t afford the lazy stick penalties that quietly flip a game. If you’re the type of bettor who builds your card around these situational edges, it’s worth skimming an NHL betting guide angle on how to treat power-play driven matchups, especially when the side price isn’t cheap.
One more note that I think matters: Ottawa’s emotional spot is interesting. After a 7-1 win, teams sometimes come out a little loose, like they expect good things to just happen again. Against Colorado, that’s dangerous. On the flip side, if Ullmark starts and looks composed early, the building gets involved fast, and that’s when the +1.5 becomes harder to beat.
NHL Lines Before the Puck Drops
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Colorado Avalanche vs Ottawa Senators Predictions and Best Bets
My first lean is toward Colorado on the moneyline, but I’m not in love with laying -163 without goalie confirmation on the Ottawa side. If Ullmark goes, Ottawa’s price becomes more live than the market might fully respect, and I’d rather be a little late than wrong here. If Ottawa starts a backup, I think Colorado’s forecheck pressure and power-play ceiling are simply too much over 60 minutes, even on the road.
For the total, I get why the market is shading Over at -130, because both teams can create quick-strike offense and Ottawa games can get messy fast. Still, if Ullmark starts, I’m more interested in the Under at plus money. Colorado can win a 4-2 type of game without it turning into track meet hockey, and they’re usually comfortable tightening the screws once they get a lead. If Ottawa’s goalie is not Ullmark, I’d back off the Under entirely, because that’s when a 5-3 final starts showing up.
I also think the puck line conversation is price-driven. Colorado -1.5 at +149 is attractive if you believe Ottawa is still leaky defensively and the Avs power play gets chances. But I’m not forcing it. I’d rather play one main position than spread into three half-bets that all depend on the same goalie news.
Best Bet: Ottawa Senators Under 6.5 (+106).
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re building a daily NHL card, it helps to compare multiple styles instead of riding one angle every night. The today’s NHL picks page is a good hub for volume, especially when you want action across the full slate and not just the headline games. I also like keeping an eye on matchup context through the NHL previews hub when you’re deciding whether a number is moving for a real reason or just public momentum.
The bigger edge is accountability and specialization. Tracking top sports handicappers and sorting by the handicapper leaderboard lets you follow the profiles that fit your risk tolerance, whether you prefer dog players, totals grinders, or guys who lean heavily into regulation markets. And if you want to scale it up, buy expert picks is the clean path to premium NHL plays, especially around tighter stretches when pricing gets sharper. If you’re also thinking bigger-picture futures angles, the Stanley Cup betting guide can help frame whether a contender is actually built for four rounds or just stacking regular-season points.
