Red Wings Edge Senators in Overtime Thriller

In a thrilling overtime finish, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-3 at Little Caesars Arena on January 18, 2026. This victory extends Detroit's lead in the season series against Ottawa to 3-0, showcasing their dominance over the Senators in recent matchups.

Detroit entered the game with a solid home record of 30-16-4, having won seven of their last ten games with an average of 3.1 goals scored and only 2.3 allowed per game. Their recent form includes a victory over the San Jose Sharks just a day prior, where they won 4-2. The Red Wings were riding a one-game winning streak and had a home record of 5-1 in their last six games.

In contrast, the Senators had a mixed record of 22-19-7 and were 4-6 in their last ten games, but they came into this match with a two-game winning streak, including an impressive 8-4 victory over the New York Rangers. However, Ottawa's struggles were evident as they had allowed an average of 4.0 goals per game in their last ten outings.

The game began with Ottawa taking an early lead. Drake Batherson opened the scoring with a snap shot, assisted by Fabian Zetterlund and Thomas Chabot, putting the Senators up 1-0. Shortly after, Dylan Cozens doubled the lead with a backhand goal, making it 2-0 for the visitors. The Red Wings responded with Axel Sandin-Pellikka scoring a wrist shot goal, narrowing the gap to 2-1 by the end of the first period.

The second period saw a flurry of action, with Lucas Raymond scoring to tie the game at 2-2. James van Riemsdyk then gave the Red Wings a brief lead at 3-2 before Shane Pinto equalized for Ottawa with a tip-in goal, setting the stage for a tense final period.

As the game moved into overtime, the tension was palpable. Alex DeBrincat secured the win for Detroit with a snap shot goal, assisted by Andrew Copp, finalizing the score at 4-3. This victory was particularly significant given the injury challenges faced by both teams. Detroit was missing Viktor Arvidsson, Mason Appleton, and Michael Rasmussen due to various injuries, while Ottawa was without Ridly Greig (suspended), Artem Zub, and Jake Sanderson (concussion).

The betting odds from DraftKings reflected Detroit's status as the favorite, with a money line of -125 and a spread of -1.5. The total for the game was set at 6.5, indicating expectations for a competitive scoring affair. The conditions in Little Caesars Arena were conducive to an exciting game, and the Red Wings managed to capitalize on their home advantage, improving their home record further.

In terms of head-to-head matchups, Detroit has now won three consecutive games against Ottawa this season, with their last meeting resulting in a 5-3 victory for the Red Wings. This ongoing series highlights Detroit's ability to perform well against the Senators, particularly at home.

Overall, the game showcased the Red Wings' resilience and ability to come back from a deficit, while the Senators will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities moving forward. The atmosphere in Little Caesars Arena was electric, and fans were treated to a high-paced, competitive matchup that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.