The Ottawa Senators' season reached a new nadir on Thursday, January 9, 2026, as they were thoroughly dismantled by the Colorado Avalanche in an 8-2 blowout loss. The game, played in Denver, exposed the team's persistent defensive and goaltending issues, sinking their league-worst team save percentage even further.
Goaltending Collapse in the Rockies
Netminders Leevi Merilainen and Mads Sogaard were under siege from the opening puck drop, combining to allow all eight Colorado goals within the first 40 minutes of play. The Avalanche's offensive firepower proved too much for the Senators' beleaguered defense, turning the contest into a lopsided affair by the second intermission. This performance underscored a significant area of concern for Ottawa as they continue to search for consistency between the pipes.
Mixed Bag for Returning Players and Scorers
Amid the rout, a few Senators managed to find small personal victories. Shane Pinto snapped an eight-game goalless drought with a sharp wrist shot in the second period, providing one of Ottawa's few bright spots. Veteran forward Lars Eller also returned to the lineup, logging 11:10 of ice time after missing 12 games with a broken foot.
The game was not without its physical moments. Star forward Tim Stutzle dropped the gloves for just the second time in his NHL career, engaging in a fight with Colorado's Samuel Girard in a third-period display of frustration and emotion. Defenseman Tyler Kleven also found himself in an early bout, trading punches with Josh Manson.
Player Performances in a Tough Night
A closer look at individual efforts reveals the struggle. Captain Brady Tkachuk managed a shorthanded goal in garbage time and fired a game-high seven shots, but an earlier turnover contributed to Colorado's opening goal. Jake Sanderson extended his point streak to six games with an assist but finished the night a minus-2.
There was a moment of brief hope when a goal by Fabian Zetterlund would have cut the deficit to 3-2, but it was correctly called back after a successful offside challenge by the Avalanche. From that point on, the floodgates opened, with Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado offense taking full control.
The 8-2 final score marks a low point in the Senators' season, highlighting systemic issues that need urgent addressing. While the return of Eller and Pinto's ended slump offer minor consolations, the defensive breakdowns and goaltending performance will be the primary focus as the team looks to regroup from this Rocky Mountain low.
