Columbus Blue Jackets vs Calgary Flames projected lineup and preview for November 5, 2025

The Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames meet at the Scotiabank Saddledome on November 5, 2025, in what promises to be an intriguing matchup between teams on opposite trajectories. The Blue Jackets enter this Western Conference road trip with a solid 7-5-0 record, having won six of their last eight games despite a heartbreaking loss to the New York Islanders on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Flames are struggling to find consistency with a 3-9-2 record, sitting at the bottom of the NHL in scoring and desperately searching for answers.

This game marks the beginning of a crucial four-game Western Canada swing for Columbus, who will look to bounce back from their Sunday defeat where they surrendered the lead in the final moments. Calgary, on the other hand, needs to break out of their early-season slump and find the offensive firepower that has eluded them through the first month of the campaign. With both teams carrying interesting storylines and lineup adjustments, this matchup offers plenty of intrigue for hockey fans.

Columbus Blue Jackets projected lineup for November 5, 2025

The Blue Jackets will deploy a lineup that has been largely successful throughout their strong start to the season. Head coach Dean Evason has established chemistry across his forward lines, and the team’s depth has been a significant factor in their early success. The Blue Jackets’ ability to roll four lines has kept opponents on their heels, and they’ll need that same balance in hostile territory at the Saddledome.

Up front, the top line features Dmitri Voronkov, Sean Monahan, and Kirill Marchenko. This trio has been particularly effective, with Marchenko recording points in 10 of 12 games this season and riding a career-best five-game assist streak. Monahan brings veteran experience and a unique storyline as he returns to face his former division rivals. The chemistry between these three has been palpable, with Marchenko’s skill and Voronov’s physicality creating a balanced attack.

The second line consists of Boone Jenner centering Adam Fantilli and Miles Wood. This combination brings energy, speed, and scoring punch. Wood has been particularly hot lately with three goals in his last four games, and Fantilli continues to develop into the impact player the Blue Jackets envisioned when they selected him high in the draft. Jenner’s leadership and two-way play anchor this unit.

The third line features Cole Sillinger between Charlie Coyle and Mathieu Olivier. Coyle has been sensational recently with five points in his last three games, while Sillinger has contributed a 2-3-5 line over his last five contests. This line provides secondary scoring that has been crucial to Columbus’s success. The fourth line rounds out with Zach Aston-Reese, Isac Lundestrom, and Kent Johnson, offering depth and versatility that few teams can match.

Blue Jackets defensive pairings and goaltending

On the blue line, the Blue Jackets will feature some notable changes. Zach Werenski anchors the top pair alongside Dante Fabbro, who moves up in the lineup. Werenski has been exceptional, posting multiple points in three of his last four games with a 3-3-6 line during that stretch. He’s tied for second among NHL defensemen in goals with four and ranks tied for ninth in points with 10. His plus-9 rating is tied for third league-wide, and he’s averaging 26:01 of ice time per game, third-highest in the NHL.

The second defensive pairing features Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson, two steady veterans who provide stability and can contribute offensively. The third pairing will see Jake Christiansen paired with Dysin Mayo, who makes his Blue Jackets debut. Mayo, recalled from Cleveland of the American Hockey League on October 30, will play his first NHL game since the 2022-23 season with the Arizona Coyotes. This is a significant opportunity for Mayo to prove he belongs at the highest level.

Denton Mateychuk and Erik Gudbranson are both traveling with the team but won’t play due to injuries. Mateychuk is described as “banged up” following Sunday’s loss, while Gudbranson continues to deal with a hip injury. Yegor Chinakhov is a healthy scratch for this contest. The injuries have forced Evason to shuffle his defensive corps, but the Blue Jackets have shown resilience in adapting to lineup changes throughout the season.

In net, Jet Greaves is expected to get the start, with Elvis Merzlikins serving as backup. Greaves has been solid when called upon, and the Blue Jackets will need a strong performance from their netminder against a Flames team desperate for offensive production. The goaltending tandem has provided consistency, allowing the Blue Jackets to remain competitive even in games where they haven’t been at their best.

Calgary Flames projected lineup for November 5, 2025

The Flames are dealing with their own lineup adjustments as they search for the formula that will kickstart their season. Head coach Ryan Huska has juggled combinations throughout the early going, trying to find chemistry that can generate the offense that has been sorely lacking. Calgary ranks dead last in the NHL in scoring at just 2.14 goals per game, a concerning statistic that has directly contributed to their disappointing record.

The top line features Connor Zary centering Nazem Kadri and Joel Farabee. Kadri is the only Flames player with double digits in scoring through 14 games, posting a 3-7-10 line. He’s coming off a career-best 35-goal campaign and remains the focal point of Calgary’s attack. Farabee, acquired from Philadelphia along with Morgan Frost in exchange for Andrei Kuzmenko, has struggled to find his footing with just one goal so far.

The second line consists of Jonathan Huberdeau, Morgan Frost, and Matt Coronato. Huberdeau has been limited to nine games due to injury but has contributed four goals and seven points when healthy. His return to full health is critical for the Flames’ chances of turning their season around. Similar to Calgary’s recent struggles against Nashville, the team continues to search for consistent scoring from their top-six forwards.

Samuel Honzek, Mikael Backlund, and Blake Coleman form the third line. Coleman leads the team with five goals, making him Calgary’s most dangerous finisher despite playing in a depth role. Backlund brings veteran savvy, while Honzek, a 2023 first-round pick, is gaining valuable NHL experience. The fourth line features Ryan Lomberg, Yegor Sharangovich, and Adam Klapka, providing grit and energy when deployed.

Flames defensive structure and netminding situation

Calgary’s blue line will be anchored by Kevin Bahl and Rasmus Andersson on the top pair. Andersson is one of the Flames’ most reliable defenders and quarterbacks the power play, which has struggled mightily at just 13.5 percent success rate, ranking 29th in the league. The second pairing features Joel Hanley alongside MacKenzie Weegar, who signed a significant contract extension and is expected to be a cornerstone piece for years to come.

The third defensive pair sees Yan Kuznetsov making his season debut after being recalled from Calgary of the AHL on Tuesday. He’ll play alongside Brayden Pachal, with Kuznetsov replacing Zayne Parekh, the team’s first-round pick in 2024. Parekh will be a healthy scratch for the third time in four games as the organization manages his development carefully. Justin Kirkland and Jake Bean also sit as healthy scratches, while Martin Pospisil remains out with an undisclosed injury.

Between the pipes, Dustin Wolf is expected to start despite struggling through a difficult sophomore campaign. After finishing second in Calder Trophy voting and eighth in Vezina Trophy balloting last season, Wolf has endured a challenging start with a 3-8-1 record, 3.39 goals-against average, and .884 save percentage. These numbers represent a significant regression from his outstanding rookie season, and he’ll be looking to find his form against a Blue Jackets team that has been effective offensively.

Devin Cooley, a longtime AHL veteran, serves as the backup and has appeared in four games with a more respectable 1.98 GAA and .933 save percentage. If Wolf continues to struggle, the Flames may need to consider giving Cooley additional opportunities. The goaltending situation mirrors many of Calgary’s issues this season—what worked last year hasn’t translated to success in the current campaign.

Key matchups and tactical considerations for this contest

The battle between Columbus’s high-powered defensemen and Calgary’s struggling offense will be fascinating to watch. The Blue Jackets’ defensemen have scored in nine of 12 games this season, with their 11 goals from the blue line leading the entire NHL. This offensive production from the back end has been a game-changer for Columbus, providing unexpected scoring depth that opponents must account for. Calgary’s forwards will need to be mindful of pinching defensemen and ensure they don’t allow odd-man rushes going the other way.

Special teams could play a decisive role in this matchup. While Calgary’s power play ranks 29th at 13.5 percent, their penalty kill sits at a more respectable 77.4 percent. Columbus will look to stay disciplined and avoid giving the Flames opportunities to build confidence on the power play. The Blue Jackets have been particularly dominant at 5-on-5, outscoring opponents 30-20, the best ratio in the NHL. If they can keep the game at even strength, they’ll have a significant advantage.

The coaching chess match between Dean Evason and Ryan Huska adds another layer of intrigue. Evason has his team buying into a structured, defensively responsible system that doesn’t sacrifice offensive creativity. The Blue Jackets have shown maturity beyond their years, particularly in how they’ve handled adversity. Huska faces the challenge of extracting more offense from a roster that appears to have more talent than their results indicate.

Historically, the Saddledome has been a challenging venue for Columbus, with the Blue Jackets posting just a 1-3-2 record in their last six visits. The teams split their season series a year ago, with Calgary winning 5-2 at home on November 29. Breaking that trend will require the Blue Jackets to execute their road game plan with precision and avoid the slow starts that have plagued them on occasion. Much like their previous encounters with Western Conference opponents, maintaining discipline and managing the puck effectively will be crucial.

What to watch for during Columbus Blue Jackets vs Calgary Flames

Several individual storylines bear monitoring throughout this contest. Sean Monahan’s return to Alberta to face the Flames, a division rival during his time with the Montreal Canadiens, adds personal motivation for the veteran center. Monahan has been a steady presence for Columbus, and he’ll be eager to make an impact against familiar foes. Additionally, Dysin Mayo’s first NHL action in nearly three years presents a feel-good story as the veteran defenseman gets another opportunity to prove himself at the highest level.

For Calgary, Connor Zary’s development continues to be a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season. The young forward has shown flashes of high-end skill and could emerge as a building block for the franchise. How the Flames’ young prospects—including Samuel Honzek, Matvei Gridin, and others—perform under pressure will indicate whether Calgary’s rebuild is progressing as planned or if more significant changes are needed.

The puck drops at 9:30 p.m. ET, with the game broadcast on SN1, SNW, and FDSNOH. According to NHL.com’s game preview, both teams are dealing with injuries that have forced lineup adjustments, making this contest even more unpredictable.

Physical play should be expected, particularly from the Blue Jackets’ bottom six, who will look to establish a forecheck and wear down Calgary’s defenders. Miles Wood and Mathieu Olivier bring a physical element that can change the complexion of games, and they’ll need to set the tone early. For Calgary, players like Ryan Lomberg and Blake Coleman must provide energy and create chaos in front of Greaves to generate high-quality scoring chances.

The Blue Jackets’ ability to manage the emotional hangover from Sunday’s devastating loss will be tested immediately. Professional athletes are trained to move on quickly, but giving up two goals in the final 67 seconds stings regardless of preparation. How Columbus responds to adversity in hostile territory will reveal much about the team’s character and maturity. As detailed in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ game preview, coach Evason emphasized that his team remained composed even when not playing their best hockey, a quality that will serve them well in challenging road environments.

This matchup between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames represents more than just two points in the standings. For Columbus, it’s about establishing road credibility and proving their strong start is sustainable during a demanding portion of the schedule. For Calgary, it’s about finding any spark that can ignite a turnaround before the season slips away. With contrasting styles, compelling storylines, and playoff implications already beginning to take shape, this November 5th encounter promises competitive hockey that could set the tone for both teams’ trajectories moving forward. The projected lineups suggest both coaches are willing to make adjustments to find winning combinations, making this a chess match worth following closely as the season progresses.