By: Kim Smith Published 01/10/2026, 06:30 AM ET 
The Florida Panthers travel to the Canadian Tire Centre to face the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, January 10, 2026. This 7:00 PM EST divisional clash, airing on NHL Network, finds both teams grappling with significant lineup absences as they fight for positioning in the competitive Atlantic Division. For expert analysis and daily wagering insights on the NHL, check out the latest free NHL picks over at Winners and Whiners.
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Terms & Conditions Florida Panthers: “Next Man Up” Mentality
The Panthers (22-18-3) arrive in Ottawa having lost four of their last five games, including a 6-2 defeat in Montreal on Thursday. The reigning champions are currently decimated by injuries; leading scorer Brad Marchand (46 points) is OUT (day-to-day) with a lingering issue, and defenseman Seth Jones is also sidelined. Furthermore, the team remains without captain Aleksander Barkov (knee) for the long term.
There is a glimmer of hope on the horizon: superstar Matthew Tkachuk is nearing a return from August groin surgery. While he has been skating in a non-contact jersey, his status for Saturday is officially questionable. If he cannot go, the offensive burden falls heavily on Sam Reinhart (23 goals) and Sam Bennett. Sergei Bobrovsky (2.85 GAA) is the projected starter in goal.
Ottawa Senators: Ullmark’s Absence
The Senators (20-18-5) are coming off an 8-2 blowout loss to Colorado and are facing their own crisis in net. Starting goaltender Linus Ullmark is currently on a leave of absence for personal reasons and is not expected to play. In his stead, the Senators will rely on young Leevi Meriläinen, who has a 3.47 GAA this season but has shown flashes of brilliance in the past.
Ottawa’s offense remains dangerous, led by Tim Stützle (45 points) and captain Brady Tkachuk (19 goals). The Senators’ power play is a significant strength, clicking at 24.1%, which could be the deciding factor against a Florida team missing its best defensive forward in Barkov and a top-pairing defenseman in Jones.
Florida Panthers vs. Ottawa Senators Prediction
This is a matchup between two tired and shorthanded teams. Florida is 8-9-0 on the road and struggling to find scoring depth, while Ottawa is looking to bounce back from a disastrous defensive performance in their last outing.
Florida vs. Ottawa ATS Pick Pick: Ottawa Senators ML (-115)
Despite the blowout loss to Colorado, the Senators are generally more stable at home (10-8-3) than Florida has been on the road. With Marchand and Barkov out, Florida loses its primary engine for driving play. If Ottawa can stay out of the penalty box and let Stützle and Brady Tkachuk exploit a Seth Jones-less defense, they should be able to secure the home victory.
Florida vs. Ottawa Total Pick
Both teams are starting backup or struggling goaltenders behind depleted defensive units. Florida’s last two games have seen 7 and 8 total goals respectively, while Ottawa just surrendered 8 to the Avalanche. With high-end talent like Reinhart and Stützle still in the lineups, expect a loose, high-scoring affair that clears the 6.0 mark.
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