The Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators are battling to an early 1-1 tie in a thrilling first period matchup on January 3, 2026 at Canadian Tire Centre. Adam Lowry scored shorthanded for Winnipeg, while Thomas Chabot tied things up for the home Senators with a power-play goal.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Game time: 7:00 PM ET at Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, Ontario
- First period score: Jets 1, Senators 1 with momentum heavily favoring Ottawa
- Jets record: 15-20-4, currently sitting alone in last place in the NHL
- Senators record: 19-15-5, trying to climb into playoff position in the Eastern Conference
Lowry’s Shorthanded Beauty Opens Scoring
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Adam Lowry’s shorthanded goal at the 12:08 mark of the first period gave Winnipeg an early 1-0 lead. Kyle Connor set up the play with a smart banking pass off the boards, creating a perfect breakaway opportunity for Lowry, who potted his third goal of the season. The goal was a rare bright spot for a Jets team struggling through an eight-game winless streak (0-5-3).
This shorthanded score showcased exactly what Scott Arniel’s team needs: discipline and execution. However, the lead would not hold as the Senators responded with character and determination through two periods of intense hockey competition.
Chabot’s Power-Play Response Ties It Up
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Thomas Chabot’s wrist shot found the top shelf at the 15:03 mark, just three minutes later, with an assist from Brady Tkachuk on the power play. Chabot’s stick actually broke on the shot, but not before finding twine and tying the game at 1-1. The goal came with just six seconds remaining on Ottawa’s power play, showing Thomas Holmstrom-like net-front presence and finishing ability.
The Senators have generated significant pressure throughout the opening frame, outshooting Winnipeg 9-5 and controlling play for stretches. Connor Hellebuyck made one huge glove save on Tim Stutzle to keep the score level, displaying the kind of elite goaltending the Jets rely on.
Key Statistics and Matchup Details
| Stat Category | Winnipeg Jets | Ottawa Senators |
| First Period Score | 1 | 1 |
| Shots on Goal | 5 | 9 |
| Power Play Goals | 0 | 1 |
| Short-Handed Goals | 1 | 0 |
| Penalties | 3 | 1 |
The Winnipeg Jets entered the game 15-20-4 on the season, a dramatic collapse from a year ago when they won the President’s Trophy. Scott Arniel’s squad sits alone in last place in the entire NHL, struggling to protect one-goal leads. The Senators, sitting at 19-15-5, are hungry to climb into playoff position in the Eastern Conference after winning their previous game 4-3 over the Washington Capitals, rallying from a 2-0 deficit.
The Storylines That Matter Tonight
Mark Scheifele scored two goals in Winnipeg’s 6-5 loss to Toronto on New Year’s Day, yet the Jets still blew a 4-1 lead in the second period. Tonight’s contest features that same core group trying to avoid another late-game collapse. Kyle Connor and Gabriel Vilardi anchor the top line, while Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle lead Ottawa’s attack.
For Ottawa, Leevi Merilainen is making his third straight start in net as Linus Ullmark remains away from the team for personal reasons. Lars Eller remains on injured reserve with a broken foot. The Senators hope that Travis Green’s fiery locker-room address during their comeback against Washington carries momentum into this matchup.
What Happens When These Two Teams Meet on January 3?
These two-goal games have haunted both teams this season. Winnipeg’s recent losses have mostly been decided by a single goal, with only one multi-goal defeat against Edmonton. Ottawa needs consistency after their third-game losing skid that interrupted a four-game winning streak. Will either team find the killer instinct to finish this matchup with a regulation victory, or will this intense battle extend into the second and third periods?
“How do we turn it around? I don’t have a single answer for you. It doesn’t involve me talking here for five minutes. There’s a lot of things that we can clean up and continue to talk about and work on and it’s got to translate to the game, though.”
— Gabriel Vilardi, Winnipeg Jets Forward
Sources
- CBS Sports – Live game tracking and play-by-play coverage
- NHL.com – Official lineups, stats, and game information
- AP Sports – Background context and team analysis
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.