The Columbus Blue Jackets and Seattle Kraken face off on November 11, 2025, in a matchup that finds both teams navigating through challenges but with different trajectories. The Blue Jackets arrive in Seattle reeling from a four-game losing streak and dealing with an illness that has swept through the locker room, while the Kraken hope to bounce back at home after a narrow defeat in Dallas. With Columbus sitting at 7-7-1 and Seattle at 7-4-4, this Pacific Northwest showdown carries significant weight for both clubs as they try to establish themselves in their respective divisions.
The game presents a particular challenge for the visitors, who are playing the second half of a back-to-back after a grueling overtime loss in Edmonton just 22.5 hours earlier. The overnight travel through customs combined with the illness affecting multiple players makes this a must-see test of Columbus’s resilience and depth.
Projected lineups Blue Jackets vs Kraken 11/11/25: Columbus forward lines and defense pairings
The Blue Jackets forward configuration reflects both injury concerns and tactical adjustments following their recent struggles. The top line features Boone Jenner centering Sean Monahan and Kent Johnson, with Jenner moving up from his usual fourth-line role after recording a goal and an assist against Edmonton. This trio aims to provide the offensive spark that Columbus desperately needs to break their losing streak.
The second line showcases the team’s young core with Dmitri Voronkov, Adam Fantilli, and Kirill Marchenko. Fantilli has been particularly impressive in his recent elevated role, posting a goal and four points over his last two games while winning 67% of his faceoffs and generating 17 shot attempts. His development continues to be a bright spot amid the team’s struggles, and keeping him in a prominent position should be a priority moving forward.
Columbus’s third line will likely consist of Yegor Chinakhov, Charlie Coyle, and Mathieu Olivier, providing a mix of skill and grit. The fourth line appears set with Zach Aston-Reese, Luca Del Bel Belluz, and Isac Lundestrom, with the latter two entering the lineup to replace Miles Wood and Cole Sillinger, both sidelined with illness. The absence of Wood particularly hurts, as he’s been a consistent energy player for the Blue Jackets this season.
On the blue line, the projected lineups for Blue Jackets vs Kraken 11/11/25 show Zach Werenski paired with Ivan Provorov on the top unit, a combination that worked reasonably well in Edmonton despite the loss. Denton Mateychuk teams with Damon Severson on the second pairing, while Jake Christiansen and Dante Fabbro round out the third duo. Erik Gudbranson remains out with a hip injury, forcing Columbus to rely on their depth defensemen during this critical stretch.
Between the pipes, Elvis Merzlikins gets the expected nod in the second half of the back-to-back. The Latvian netminder will need to be sharp from the opening faceoff, as fatigue from the short turnaround could expose Columbus early. Jet Greaves serves as the backup for this contest.
Projected lineups Blue Jackets vs Kraken 11/11/25: Seattle’s forward combinations and defensive structure
Seattle’s forward group presents a balanced attack led by the top line of Jaden Schwartz, Matty Beniers, and Kaapo Kakko. Schwartz and Jordan Eberle share the team lead with 11 points each through 15 games, while Beniers has chipped in nine points including seven assists. This line will be tasked with generating the limited offense that has become characteristic of the Kraken’s identity this season.
The second line features Mason Marchment, Chandler Stephenson, and Jordan Eberle, providing veteran savvy and playmaking ability. Despite Seattle ranking second-to-last in the NHL with just 39 goals scored, they’ve found ways to win through defensive structure and timely scoring. This line embodies that philosophy, focusing on possession and defensive responsibility while capitalizing on their opportunities.
Rookie Berkly Catton centers the third line between Shane Wright and Ryan Winterton, showcasing the organization’s commitment to developing young talent while remaining competitive. The fourth line of Tye Kartye, Ben Meyers, and Eeli Tolvanen provides energy and defensive commitment, crucial elements in Seattle’s tight-checking system.
Seattle’s defensive corps represents their strongest position group, featuring size, experience, and physicality throughout. Vince Dunn and Adam Larsson anchor the top pairing, with Dunn contributing nine points including seven assists. Ryan Lindgren teams with Brandon Montour on the second pairing, bringing playoff experience and two-way reliability. Montour has been productive with nine points in just 11 games since joining the lineup.
The third pairing of Ryker Evans and Jamie Oleksiak provides a significant size advantage, with Oleksiak’s 6-foot-7 frame offering an intimidating presence against opposing forwards. This defense group excels at clogging shooting and passing lanes, contributing to Seattle’s eighth-best goals-against average in the NHL at 2.80.
Matt Murray is projected to start in goal after Joey Daccord landed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. Murray carries an 0-2-0 record this season with a .902 save percentage and 2.72 goals-against average. However, his career numbers against Columbus tell a different story: 9-2-1 with a .914 save percentage and 2.59 GAA including one shutout. Philipp Grubauer backs him up for this matchup.
Key injuries and lineup changes affecting the projected lineups Blue Jackets vs Kraken 11/11/25
Columbus faces significant depth challenges heading into this contest, with illness and injury depleting their available roster. Miles Wood and Cole Sillinger both missed the Edmonton game due to illness, and their status remains uncertain for Seattle. Both Sean Monahan and Mathieu Olivier dealt with illness symptoms before the Edmonton game but managed to play through it, though how they’re feeling 24 hours later remains a question mark.
Erik Gudbranson’s hip injury continues to sideline the veteran defenseman, forcing Columbus to rely on less experienced options on their third pairing. Similar to the challenges they faced earlier in the season, the Blue Jackets must find ways to overcome these absences through system play and increased contributions from their depth players.
If Wood and Sillinger cannot play, Zach Aston-Reese and Luca Del Bel Belluz will remain in the lineup, having entered against Edmonton. This shuffle affects the team’s checking ability and overall speed, two elements that have been crucial to Columbus’s success when they’ve played well this season. Dysin Mayo is available as a healthy scratch if defensive adjustments become necessary.
Seattle’s injury situation affects their offensive capabilities more directly. Jared McCann, one of their top goal scorers, remains out with a lower-body injury, robbing the Kraken of a key finisher. Frederick Gaudreau wore a non-contact jersey during morning skate but won’t play, extending his absence to 12 games. His defensive zone reliability and penalty-killing contributions are missed.
Joey Daccord’s upper-body injury forced Seattle to turn to their veteran backup tandem of Murray and Grubauer. While neither has been particularly sharp this season, Murray’s historical success against Columbus could provide a psychological edge. The Kraken have scratched Cale Fleury, Jani Nyman, and Josh Mahura for this contest, indicating confidence in their current lineup configuration.
Tactical matchup and what to watch in the projected lineups Blue Jackets vs Kraken 11/11/25
This matchup represents a clash of styles, with Columbus needing to generate offense against a Seattle team that thrives on low-event, defensively structured hockey. The Kraken rank second-worst in goals scored but eighth in goals against, indicating their game plan revolves around limiting opponents’ opportunities and capitalizing on mistakes. For Columbus, breaking through that defensive shell while managing their own fatigue will determine their success.
The Blue Jackets must find ways to penetrate Seattle’s interior defensive zone coverage. The Kraken’s large, physical defense corps—particularly with Oleksiak, Lindgren, and Larsson—excels at eliminating passing lanes through the middle. Columbus will need to work pucks to the net from the perimeter and crash for rebounds, utilizing their speed and skill to create second-chance opportunities.
Adam Fantilli represents Columbus’s best hope for offensive production in this game. His recent performance on the top line has been exceptional, and Seattle doesn’t possess a center capable of matching his combination of size, speed, and skill. Winning faceoffs in the offensive zone will be crucial for a tired Blue Jackets team, and Fantilli’s 67% success rate in his recent games suggests he can provide that advantage.
Special teams could play a decisive role given both teams’ offensive limitations at even strength. Columbus must stay disciplined to avoid giving Seattle power-play opportunities that could break the game open. Conversely, the Blue Jackets need to capitalize on any man-advantage situations they receive, as generating five-on-five goals against Seattle’s structured defense will be challenging.
Elvis Merzlikins must deliver a strong performance in the back-to-back situation, making key saves at crucial moments to keep Columbus in the game. With fatigue likely affecting the Blue Jackets’ defensive coverage as the game progresses, timely goaltending becomes even more critical. If Murray can channel his historical success against Columbus, it could further tip the scales in Seattle’s favor, making every offensive opportunity even more precious for the visitors.
The back-to-back scheduling disadvantage cannot be overstated. Columbus finished their overtime loss in Edmonton late Monday night, traveled overnight through customs, and must be ready to compete just 22.5 hours later. Seattle, coming off two days of rest since their Dallas game, holds a significant freshness advantage. The Blue Jackets will need to manage their energy throughout all three periods, potentially using their younger players like Fantilli, Voronkov, and Marchenko to carry more of the load as the game progresses.
This contest represents a critical juncture for both teams, though for different reasons. Columbus desperately needs to end their four-game slide and salvage something positive from a disastrous road trip that has seen them fall to just one point above last place in the Eastern Conference. A loss would intensify pressure on the coaching staff and raise questions about the team’s direction. Seattle, meanwhile, looks to leverage their home-ice advantage and defensive identity to collect two points against a wounded opponent, maintaining their position in the competitive Pacific Division playoff race. The projected lineups suggest a grinding, low-scoring affair where special teams, goaltending, and the ability to capitalize on limited opportunities will determine the outcome.
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.