By: Kim Smith Published 01/20/2026, 07:35 AM ET 
The Ottawa Senators travel to Nationwide Arena to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 PM EST. This Eastern Conference matchup will be televised on ESPN+ and FanDuel Sports Network Ohio. At the time of this writing, both the Senators and Blue Jackets are listed at -110 on the moneyline. The total is set at 6.5 goals with the over priced at -122 and the under at +102, while the puck line shows Columbus -1.5 (+210) and Ottawa +1.5 (-258). Be sure to check out our free NHL picks for more daily NHL betting insight.
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Terms & Conditions Senators Seek Consistency Away from Home
Ottawa enters this matchup with a 22-19-7 overall record and an 11-10-3 mark on the road. Over their last five games, the Senators have recently won over the Rangers and Canucks, while also recently losing to the Red Wings in overtime, Canadiens in overtime, and Panthers. That stretch highlights a team that has been competitive but has struggled to finish games late.
From a statistical perspective, Ottawa is averaging 3.25 goals per game while allowing 3.40 goals against. The Senators generate 28.5 shots per game and allow 25.3 shots, often relying on offensive pressure to compensate for defensive breakdowns. Their power play has been a major strength, converting at a 24.4% rate with 39 goals on the season.
Ottawa’s biggest edge is its ability to score quickly, especially on the man advantage. When the Senators are drawing penalties and capitalizing on power-play chances, they can tilt the ice in their favor even in road environments.
Blue Jackets Building Momentum at Nationwide Arena
Columbus comes into the contest with a matching 22-19-7 overall record and an 11-7-4 mark at home. In their last five games, the Blue Jackets have recently won over the Penguins in a shootout, Canucks, Flames, and Mammoth in overtime, while their only recent loss came against the Avalanche. That run shows a team trending upward and gaining confidence.
The Blue Jackets are averaging 2.98 goals per game while allowing 3.31 goals against. They generate a high volume of shots at 30.6 per game but also allow 31 shots against, making their games more open and fast-paced. Columbus’ power play sits at 20%, while their penalty kill has been slightly better than Ottawa’s at 74.8%.
Columbus’ strength lies in sustained offensive pressure. The Blue Jackets consistently put pucks on net, and that volume can wear down opponents over the course of a game, particularly on home ice where line matching favors them.
Ottawa Senators vs Columbus Blue Jackets PickOttawa Senators vs Columbus Blue Jackets Moneyline Pick Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets -110
Columbus has the momentum edge and has been more consistent at home during this recent stretch. The Blue Jackets’ ability to generate shot volume and control play at Nationwide Arena gives them a slight advantage in what profiles as an evenly matched game.
Ottawa Senators vs Columbus Blue Jackets Total Pick
I’m backing the over here because both teams are allowing more than three goals per game on average and each offense is capable of quick scoring runs. With Ottawa’s power play and Columbus’ shot volume, this matchup sets up well for a higher-scoring outcome.
Final Score Prediction: Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Ottawa Senators 3
This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Monday.
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