Vancouver Canucks vs Ottawa Senators Picks & Prediction for Tuesday, January 13, 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 01/13/2026, 12:00 AM ET

The Vancouver Canucks travel to Canadian Tire Centre to face the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+. Vancouver enters this matchup at 16-23-5 (12-11-2 road), while Ottawa comes in at 20-19-5 (10-9-3 home). Both teams are searching for traction, but the underlying numbers paint two very different paths to this game. The NHL season is in full swing, but you can find all the best free NHL picks at Picks and Parlays.

Vancouver Canucks: Defensive Issues Snowballing

Vancouver is in the middle of a brutal stretch, losing five straight games, and the trend lines are concerning. The Canucks are averaging just 2.66 goals per game, while allowing a hefty 3.57 goals against, a combination that leaves very little margin for error.

Shot volume hasn’t helped. Vancouver is generating 27.0 shots per game but allowing 29.2 shots against, which has repeatedly put pressure on their defensive structure and goaltending. Discipline has also been an issue, with 390 penalty minutes, and while their power play sits at a respectable 20.0%, the penalty kill has been a major weakness at just 73.2%, having already surrendered 38 power-play goals.

Recent results show how fragile things have been: multiple multi-goal losses on this road trip and no wins in their last five, including two shutout or near-shutout performances.

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Ottawa Senators: Better Shot Control, Same Recent Results

Ottawa hasn’t been winning either, but the underlying metrics are more stable. The Senators are averaging 3.14 goals per game, significantly higher than Vancouver, while allowing 3.36 goals against. More importantly, Ottawa controls play better, putting up 28.2 shots per game and allowing just 25.4 shots against, a sizable edge in territorial play.

Special teams lean Ottawa as well. Their power play is converting at 22.8% with 34 goals, while the penalty kill sits at 72.7%, which isn’t elite but mirrors Vancouver’s struggles. Discipline is a concern — 471 penalty minutes is a large number — but Ottawa has at least been able to generate offense consistently at home.

The recent form hasn’t been kind, with four straight losses, but the win over Winnipeg five games ago showed the Senators can still close when games are played at their pace.

Points To Consider

This matchup comes down to sustainability. Vancouver is leaking goals, struggling to control shots, and hasn’t shown an ability to stop momentum swings during this losing streak. Ottawa hasn’t been sharp either, but they’re far better at limiting shots and generating offense at even strength.

Both penalty kills are vulnerable, which raises the scoring floor, but Ottawa’s stronger shot differential and higher goals-per-game average give them the cleaner path to dictate this game — especially at home.

Vancouver Canucks vs Ottawa Senators Prediction

Ottawa is the side I trust more here. The Senators have the offensive edge, better shot suppression, and home-ice advantage against a Vancouver team that hasn’t been able to steady itself defensively.

I also lean Over 6.0 goals, given both teams’ goals-against numbers and penalty-kill issues, but the primary play is backing the home side to capitalize on Vancouver’s current slide.

Best Bet: Ottawa Senators ML

Total Lean: Over 6.0

Final Score Prediction: Senators 4, Canucks 2

How To Bet This Matchup

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This game preview was written prior to game play on Monday.