The Ottawa Senators are on high alert as they gear up to face the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday night following a hard-hitting 6-4 defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights. After a spirited practice at the University of Denver, Ottawa’s lineup looks set for a battle in Mile High. Despite a night of offensive fireworks in Vegas, head coach D.J. Smith knows that shutting down Colorado’s potent offense will take an ironclad defense and a relentless forecheck.
The Senators’ top lines were buzzing in practice, with Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle, and Michael Amadio leading the forward charge. Shane Pinto remains sidelined, meaning Cole Reinhardt—fresh off earning his first NHL point—will stay in the lineup and look to build on his impressive season debut. Meanwhile, Adam Gaudette is riding the momentum of a breakout night in Vegas, where he netted his first two goals of the season, bringing a spark to Ottawa’s offense and showing his teammates he’s ready for the big stage.
On defense, the Senators are still without Artem Zub, sidelined since mid-October with an upper-body injury. Ottawa’s defensive core, led by Travis Hamonic, Jakob Chychrun, and Thomas Chabot, will have their hands full trying to contain Colorado’s stars. Goaltenders Anton Forsberg and Linus Ullmark both participated in practice, leaving Smith with options as he decides who will backstop against the Avs’ fast-paced attack.
This game comes down to grit and control for Ottawa. They’ve proven they can score, but their defensive discipline will be tested by an Avalanche team known for turning defensive breakdowns into quick goals. Ottawa’s forwards will need to lock in on backchecking while maximizing offensive zone time to neutralize Colorado’s speed. All eyes will be on the Senators’ young stars like Tim Stützle and Brady Tkachuk, who must bring their A-game to keep up with the Avs.
Colorado represents a major challenge in what’s already been a tough road trip for the Senators, but Ottawa is determined to put on a show and prove they can compete with the NHL’s elite. The Senators’ resilience will be on full display as they look to bounce back and tighten up defensively after a high-scoring thriller in Vegas.
With determination and redemption in their sights, the Senators will take to the ice in Denver, ready to face the Avalanche and hopefully turn the tide of their road trip with a statement win. Ottawa fans can tune in at 9:00 p.m. ET to see if their team has what it takes to conquer Colorado and keep their playoff ambitions alive.
