The Columbus Blue Jackets travel north to Rogers Place on November 10, 2025, to face an Edmonton Oilers squad dealing with significant roster changes. Both teams enter this Western Conference clash looking to find consistency, with the Blue Jackets sitting at 7-7-0 and the Oilers struggling at 6-6-4 through their first 16 games. The 8:30 p.m. ET matchup features crucial lineup adjustments on both sides, as Edmonton welcomes back Mattias Janmark while losing Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to injury, and Columbus deals with an illness sweeping through their dressing room that has already impacted several key players.
This game presents an opportunity for both clubs to gain momentum as the season approaches the quarter mark. The Oilers are reeling from a devastating 9-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, while the Blue Jackets are seeking to snap a three-game losing streak. With projected lineups featuring some unexpected combinations and depth players stepping into expanded roles, this contest could hinge on which team better adapts to their personnel challenges.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Edmonton Oilers projected lineup November 10, 2025: forward lines
The Blue Jackets’ forward configuration for this matchup features some intriguing line combinations, with Miles Wood, Sean Monahan, and Kent Johnson expected to anchor the top unit. This trio brings a blend of speed, veteran savvy, and offensive creativity that Columbus hopes can exploit Edmonton’s defensive vulnerabilities. However, Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason faces a significant challenge as an illness has spread through the locker room, with Monahan, Cole Sillinger, Mathieu Olivier, and Wood all missing the morning skate.
The second line showcases Columbus’; young talent with Dmitri Voronkov centering Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko. Fantilli, the third overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, continues his development and has shown flashes of the elite two-way ability that made him such a coveted prospect. This line carries considerable offensive upside and will likely match up against Edmonton’s depth units, presenting an opportunity to exploit favorable matchups.
Similar to how the Blue Jackets structured their attack against the Islanders earlier in November, the third line of Sillinger, Charlie Coyle, and Olivier provides grit and secondary scoring. Coyle, acquired to add veteran presence and versatility, brings playoff experience that could prove valuable in tight games. The fourth line features captain Boone Jenner alongside Luca Del Bel Belluz and Yegor Chinakhov, combining leadership with developing talent.
For Edmonton, the forward group showcases the dynamic top-end talent that has defined this franchise for years. Connor McDavid will be flanked by Andrew Mangiapane and highly-touted prospect Matt Savoie on the first line. Savoie, making waves in his early NHL appearances, gets another opportunity to play alongside the game’s best player—an invaluable learning experience for the young forward.
The second line features Leon Draisaitl between Vasily Podkolzin and Jack Roslovic, creating a unit with size, skill, and offensive firepower. Draisaitl’s ability to drive play and create offense from any position makes this line dangerous, even without traditional first-line wingers. The third line sees rookie Isaac Howard centering Adam Henrique and Trent Frederic, while the fourth line welcomes back Mattias Janmark for his season debut alongside Noah Philp and Curtis Lazar.
Janmark’s return provides a significant boost to Edmonton’s depth. Head coach Kris Knoblauch spoke about the importance of getting the Swedish forward back after he missed the first 16 games with an undisclosed injury suffered during preseason. Last season, Janmark appeared in 80 regular-season games, contributing 18 points before adding four points in 22 playoff contests. His defensive responsibility and penalty-killing prowess will be immediately valuable.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Edmonton Oilers projected lineup November 10, 2025: defensive pairings
The Blue Jackets’ blue line is anchored by Zach Werenski, who continues to establish himself as one of the NHL’s premier offensive defensemen. Paired with rookie Denton Mateychuk, Werenski will shoulder significant responsibility in both zones. Mateychuk, a former first-round selection, brings mobility and puck-moving ability that complements Werenski’s offensive instincts. This pairing will likely see heavy minutes against Edmonton’s top offensive threats.
Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson form Columbus’; second pairing, combining defensive solidity with transitional efficiency. Provorov’s experience and reliable two-way play makes him a steadying presence, while Severson contributes offensive thinking from the back end. The third pairing features Jake Christiansen alongside Dante Fabbro, with both defensemen capable of moving the puck and contributing to the offensive zone.
The absence of Erik Gudbranson due to a hip injury impacts Columbus’ absence. Gudbranson’s veteran leadership and defensive reliability will be missed, forcing younger players to absorb additional responsibilities. Dysin Mayo serves as the healthy scratch, providing depth should any game-time decisions need to be made regarding player availability due to illness.
Edmonton’s defensive corps features the elite pairing of Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard, which has consistently been one of the league’s most effective tandems. Ekholm provides shutdown ability and gap control, while Bouchard offers elite offensive production from the point. This duo will face Columbus’ top line and must limit the transition opportunities that could lead to odd-man rushes against.
Darnell Nurse partners with Alec Regula on the second pairing, a combination that emphasizes size and physicality. Nurse, one of the Oilers’ alternate captains, brings intensity and defensive commitment, though his plus-minus rating has been a concern this season. Regula adds depth and competitiveness, filling in admirably amid the team’s injury challenges. The third pairing sees Brett Kulak alongside Jake Walman, both mobile defensemen who can contribute in transition.
The Oilers have Ty Emberson and Troy Stecher available as scratches, providing experienced depth should any adjustments be necessary during the game. The defensive group must rebound from allowing nine goals to Colorado, with special emphasis on gap control and limiting high-danger scoring chances against a Blue Jackets team desperate for offensive production during their three-game slide.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Edmonton Oilers projected lineup November 10, 2025: goaltending matchup
Between the pipes for Columbus, Jet Greaves is expected to get the start. The 23-year-old has seen increased action this season and will look to continue his development at the NHL level. Greaves faces a challenging assignment against Edmonton’s elite offensive talents, but a strong performance could provide the confidence boost the Blue Jackets need to turn their fortunes around. Elvis Merzlikins serves as the backup, providing veteran insurance should the game get away from the starter.
Stuart Skinner draws the start for Edmonton after Calvin Pickard faced the music in Saturday’s 9-1 embarrassment against Colorado. Skinner confirmed his availability during the morning media session and will be looking to bounce back and help his team regain defensive structure. Last season’s breakout campaign established Skinner as Edmonton’s clear number-one netminder, but consistency has been elusive during the early portion of the 2025-26 campaign.
The goaltending matchup heavily favors Edmonton based on the talent and weapons Skinner has in front of him, particularly with McDavid and Draisaitl leading the charge. However, Greaves has shown flashes of brilliance and could steal a game if he finds his rhythm early. The battle between the pipes may ultimately determine which team snaps their current funk and builds positive momentum.
Much like the lineup decisions Columbus faced against Calgary, the goaltending choice reflects both recent performance and the need for a fresh start. Neither team has enjoyed consistent netminding through the season’s opening weeks, making this positional battle particularly intriguing as both clubs seek to establish reliability in goal.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Edmonton Oilers projected lineup November 10, 2025: injury and illness concerns
The injury and illness situations present significant complications for both organizations. For Columbus, the illness sweeping through the dressing room creates unpredictability regarding final lineup configurations. Coach Dean Evason acknowledged that several players could be game-time decisions, with Monahan, Wood, Sillinger, and Olivier all missing the morning skate. This level of uncertainty makes preparation challenging and could force assistant coaches to have multiple lineup scenarios ready.
Erik Gudbranson’s hip injury removes a key veteran presence from Columbus’s defensive structure. His absence means younger defensemen must handle increased responsibility against Edmonton’s dangerous offensive attack. Zach Aston-Reese and Isac Lundestrom serve as healthy scratches, potentially available should any players be unable to go due to illness.
Edmonton’s injury list presents a starker picture of their depth being tested. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed issue, will miss approximately one week according to Knoblauch. This represents a significant blow to Edmonton’s top-six forward group, as Nugent-Hopkins had been producing at better than a point-per-game pace with 16 points in 16 games. He went minus-4 in Saturday’s loss to Colorado in what would be his last appearance before the injury.
Zach Hyman remains sidelined with a wrist injury, removing another key offensive contributor from Edmonton’s lineup. Hyman’s net-front presence and chemistry with McDavid has been a cornerstone of Edmonton’s offensive success in recent seasons. Additionally, Kasperi Kapanen was placed on long-term injured reserve with a knee injury suffered on October 19 against Detroit. Kapanen isn’t expected to return until early December at the earliest, further depleting the Oilers’ forward depth.
According to the official NHL.com preview, these absences force both teams to rely heavily on their organizational depth. David Tomasek comes out of the Edmonton lineup to make room for Janmark and Lazar, representing a tactical adjustment by the coaching staff seeking more defensive responsibility and experience on the fourth line.
The cumulative effect of these personnel challenges cannot be understated. Both teams must adapt their systems and expectations to account for missing regulars. Role players will receive expanded opportunities, and prospects will face trial by fire against NHL competition. How each organization responds to adversity may define the trajectory of their seasons moving forward.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Edmonton Oilers projected lineup November 10, 2025: special teams and key matchups
Special teams will likely play a crucial role in determining this game’s outcome. Edmonton’s power play, led by McDavid, Draisaitl, and Bouchard, ranks among the league’s most dangerous units despite the team’s overall struggles. The absence of Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman does impact personnel options, but the Oilers’ ability to generate high-danger chances with the extra attacker remains formidable.
Columbus must stay disciplined to avoid giving Edmonton’s lethal power play too many opportunities. The Blue Jackets’ penalty kill will need to be aggressive on shooting lanes while respecting the offensive weapons Edmonton deploys. Werenski and Provorov will be key contributors on the PK, using their hockey IQ to anticipate passes and break up the cycle.
The Oilers’ penalty kill receives a boost with Janmark’s return, as his defensive zone awareness and forechecking ability made him a staple on that unit throughout his previous tenure with the team. According to Oilers.com, head coach Knoblauch emphasized the importance of having Janmark back specifically for these situations, providing coaching familiarity and trusted execution.
The 5-on-5 matchups present fascinating tactical chess matches. McDavid’s line will likely draw Werenski’s pairing most frequently, creating a speed-versus-speed dynamic that could produce highlight-reel moments. Draisaitl’s physical style and ability to win puck battles gives him an advantage against most defensive pairings, though Provorov’s size and strength should make that matchup competitive.
For Columbus, generating offense off the rush will be critical against an Edmonton team still finding defensive cohesion. The Blue Jackets must capitalize on turnovers and neutral zone mistakes to create odd-man opportunities against Skinner. Wood’s speed on the forecheck and Fantilli’s transitional ability represent the types of weapons that could exploit Edmonton’s defensive gaps.
The faceoff circle presents another crucial battleground. Monahan, if healthy enough to play through illness, and Jenner provide Columbus with reliable dot work. Edmonton counters with McDavid and Draisaitl, two of the league’s premier centers. Winning draws in the defensive zone and on penalty kills will be essential for both teams to maintain territorial control and limit high-danger chances against.
This matchup between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Edmonton Oilers on November 10, 2025, features two teams at critical junctures seeking to establish consistency and positive momentum. The projected lineups reveal both organizations dealing with significant adversity through injuries and illness, forcing depth players into expanded roles and testing organizational resilience. Edmonton’s elite offensive talents should provide a significant advantage, but Columbus has shown they can compete with skilled opponents when their structure remains intact.
The game’s outcome may ultimately hinge on which goaltender finds their rhythm early and whether the Blue Jackets can weather Edmonton’s offensive storm during 5-on-5 play. Special teams excellence could be the difference maker, as could Columbus’; ability to exploit Edmonton’s defensive vulnerabilities exposed so dramatically against Colorado. For hockey fans watching at Rogers Place or on television, this contest promises competitive hockey with lineup intrigue and playoff implications despite the early-season timing. Both teams understand that every point matters in the competitive Western Conference landscape.
Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.