Ottawa Senators vs San Jose Sharks projected lineup 11/22/25: Complete game preview

Ottawa Senators vs San Jose Sharks projected lineup 11/22/25: Complete game preview

The Ottawa Senators visit the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night, November 22, 2025, for a critical Western Conference matchup that pits two surging teams against each other. Both squads enter SAP Center riding impressive November runs, with the Senators posting a 4-1-3 record this month while the Sharks have been even hotter at 7-2-1. This comprehensive breakdown covers everything you need to know about the projected lineups, key injuries, and strategic matchups before puck drop at 7 p.m. ET.

Breaking down the Ottawa Senators projected lineup for November 22, 2025

The Senators’ forward group has found impressive chemistry despite missing captain Brady Tkachuk, who continues to recover from thumb surgery. Head coach Travis Green has stabilized his top six around veteran David Perron and rising star Tim Stutzle, with Drake Batherson completing a dangerous first line that combines skill, speed, and veteran savvy. The Perron-Stutzle-Batherson trio has generated consistent offensive pressure throughout November, contributing to Ottawa’s 2.8 goals per game average this month.

Lars Eller centers the second line between Dylan Cozens and Fabian Zetterlund, providing a balanced combination of two-way responsibility and offensive upside. This line has been particularly effective on the cycle, wearing down opposing defenses and creating second-chance opportunities. Their ability to control possession has been a significant factor in the Senators’ recent success, especially during Thursday’s 3-2 victory over Anaheim where they accounted for numerous high-danger chances.

The third line featuring Michael Amadio, Shane Pinto, and Claude Giroux offers Ottawa veteran experience and defensive reliability. Giroux’s leadership has been invaluable during Tkachuk’s absence, while Pinto continues to develop into one of the league’s more reliable two-way centers. Nick Cousins, Stephen Halliday, and Hayden Hodgson round out the fourth line, providing energy and physicality that can shift momentum during crucial game moments.

Senators defensive pairings and goaltending situation

Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub anchor the Senators’ top defensive pairing, logging heavy minutes against opponents’ top lines while contributing offensively. Sanderson’s smooth skating and puck-moving ability complement Zub’s physical, stay-at-home style perfectly. This partnership has been instrumental in Ottawa allowing just 2.5 goals per game during their November surge, with both players ranking among team leaders in blocked shots and takeaway differential.

The second pairing has seen some rotation, with sources indicating either Tyler Kleven or Thomas Chabot (if cleared from his upper-body injury) would skate alongside Jordan Spence. The uncertainty around Chabot’s status represents one of the lineup’s biggest question marks. If Chabot remains unavailable, Kleven’s size and physical presence would provide necessary defensive stability. Spence, acquired in an offseason trade, has settled into a reliable role on the second pair, contributing offensively while improving his defensive positioning.

Nikolas Matinpalo and Nick Jensen likely comprise the third pairing, offering a blend of youth and veteran experience. Jensen’s steadying influence has helped Matinpalo’s development, with the younger defenseman showing increased confidence in his own zone. This pairing typically faces sheltered minutes but has performed admirably when called upon in more challenging situations.

Linus Ullmark gets the nod in goal after continuing his Vezina-caliber season. The Swedish netminder has been exceptional throughout November, posting a .928 save percentage and 2.23 goals-against average. His ability to make timely saves has been crucial during the Senators’ tight-checking games. Leevi Merilainen serves as backup, having shown flashes of his potential in limited action earlier this season.

San Jose Sharks projected lineup 11/22/25: Youth movement in full effect

The Sharks’ lineup showcases the results of their successful rebuild, centered around the dynamic duo of Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. Celebrini, the 2024 first overall pick, leads San Jose with 30 points and forms the centerpiece of the top line alongside Smith and veteran winger Philipp Kurashev. This trio has been nearly unstoppable during the Sharks’ hot streak, combining Celebrini’s playmaking vision, Smith’s lethal shot, and Kurashev’s two-way awareness.

William Eklund, Alexander Wennberg, and Tyler Toffoli comprise a formidable second line that provides scoring depth and defensive responsibility. Eklund’s creative offensive instincts mesh well with Wennberg’s steady two-way play and Toffoli’s proven goal-scoring ability. This unit has been particularly effective on the power play, where their puck movement creates constant matchup problems for opposing penalty kills.

Adam Gaudette centers the third line between Ty Dellandrea and Collin Graf, giving the Sharks a legitimate scoring threat from their bottom six. This line has exceeded expectations throughout November, contributing timely goals while maintaining strong possession numbers. Their ability to generate offense against opposing third pairings has been a significant factor in San Jose’s 2.6 goals per game average this month.

The fourth line of Barclay Goodrow, Zack Ostapchuk, and Ryan Reaves provides the physical edge and energy that defines Sharks hockey. Goodrow’s leadership and championship experience from his Tampa Bay days have been invaluable for San Jose’s young core, while Reaves remains one of the league’s most feared enforcers despite his age.

Sharks defensive structure and special teams advantage

Dmitry Orlov and Timothy Liljegren have emerged as San Jose’s top defensive pairing, offering an intriguing blend of offensive skill and defensive reliability. Orlov’s experience and Stanley Cup pedigree provide stability for the younger Liljegren, whose skating and puck-moving abilities have flourished in an expanded role. This pairing frequently draws the assignment against opposing top lines while contributing significantly to the Sharks’ transition game.

Mario Ferraro and John Klingberg form a second pairing that prioritizes offensive activation from the blue line. Klingberg’s power-play expertise and Ferraro’s improving offensive instincts create problems for opponents, particularly when joining the rush. However, this pairing can be vulnerable to counter-attacks, something the Senators’ skilled forwards will look to exploit.

The third pairing presents an interesting decision for coach Ryan Warsofsky. Sources suggest Sam Dickinson may be a healthy scratch to manage his workload ahead of Sunday’s game against Boston, which would insert Shakir Mukhamadullin alongside Vincent Desharnais. Mukhamadullin’s size and physical presence would complement Desharnais’ steady, positional style. If Dickinson plays, his mobility and puck skills would give the Sharks three balanced pairings.

In goal, Yaroslav Askarov has established himself as the clear starter after a stellar November. The young Russian has posted a .922 save percentage and 2.41 goals-against average, numbers that rank among the league’s best this month. His technical proficiency and calm demeanor belie his age, and he enters this contest having stopped 34 of 37 shots in Thursday’s shootout victory over Los Angeles. Alex Nedeljkovic provides reliable backup support.

Key matchups and strategic considerations for Senators vs Sharks

The battle between Ottawa’s Sanderson-Zub pairing and San Jose’s Celebrini-Smith line will likely determine this game’s outcome. Sanderson and Zub have excelled at neutralizing elite offensive talent, but they’ve rarely faced a duo with the combined skill and creativity of Celebrini and Smith. The Sharks’ young stars have torched opponents during their hot streak, with Celebrini averaging nearly two points per game in November and Smith showing why he was a top prospect.

Both teams enter this contest having played Thursday night, making fatigue management crucial. The Senators traveled from Anaheim, while the Sharks remained home after facing the Kings. This scheduling quirk gives San Jose a slight advantage, particularly in the game’s later stages when legs typically grow heavy. Ottawa’s conditioning and depth will be tested, especially if the game remains tight into the third period.

The goaltending matchup presents a fascinating contrast in styles. Ullmark relies on positioning and technical excellence, while Askarov combines athleticism with an increasingly refined positional game. Both netminders have been nearly unbeatable during recent action, suggesting this contest could be determined by which team better capitalizes on limited high-danger opportunities.

Special teams could prove decisive, as both teams feature dangerous power-play units. The Sharks’ first power-play unit ranks among the league’s best, with Celebrini, Smith, Eklund, Wennberg, and Klingberg combining for impressive puck movement and shooting ability. Ottawa’s penalty kill has been solid at 82.3% this month, but they’ll face their toughest test against San Jose’s dynamic attack.

Injury updates and lineup decisions impacting both teams

Brady Tkachuk’s absence continues to loom large for the Senators, though his return appears imminent. The captain has progressed to skating in practice, albeit still wearing a non-contact jersey. Tkachuk told reporters earlier this week, “It was awesome. It’s just another step in the rehab process, being out there,” indicating his frustration with being sidelined. Multiple sources suggest he’s targeting the American Thanksgiving holiday for his return, meaning Saturday’s game could be one of the final contests without their emotional leader.

Thomas Chabot’s status remains questionable due to his upper-body injury, creating uncertainty on Ottawa’s blue line. If Chabot cannot go, the Senators lose a significant offensive threat from the back end, forcing Tyler Kleven into a larger role. Ridly Greig’s presence among the scratched players suggests coach Green prefers the veteran stability of the current lineup during this crucial road trip.

For San Jose, Jeff Skinner and Michael Misa remain sidelined with lower-body injuries, depriving the Sharks of additional offensive depth. However, their absence has allowed younger players like Collin Graf and Adam Gaudette to receive increased ice time and responsibility, accelerating their development. The Sharks’ ability to roll four lines despite these absences speaks to the improved organizational depth from their rebuild.

The decision to potentially scratch Sam Dickinson represents smart long-term roster management by Warsofsky. With games on back-to-back nights, resting the young defenseman Saturday preserves him for Sunday’s difficult matchup against Boston while inserting the capable Shakir Mukhamadullin into the lineup. This flexibility has been crucial to San Jose’s success during their congested November schedule.

What the projected lineups tell us about each team’s direction

The Ottawa Senators’ projected lineup on November 22, 2025, demonstrates general manager Steve Staios’s commitment to building around a core of young talent supplemented by veteran experience. Stutzle’s emergence as a legitimate first-line center, Batherson’s consistent production, and Sanderson’s development into a number-one defenseman provide hope for sustained success. The presence of proven winners like Perron, Giroux, and Ullmark shows management’s willingness to accelerate the timeline while maintaining a competitive culture.

Goaltending coach Justin Peters has worked wonders with Ullmark, transforming him into one of the league’s elite netminders. Ullmark’s performance this season ranks among the best in franchise history, and his stability gives the Senators confidence to play an aggressive offensive style knowing they have a reliable last line of defense. This dynamic represents a significant shift from previous seasons when goaltending inconsistency plagued the organization.

San Jose’s lineup reveals the benefits of patient rebuilding and strong drafting. Celebrini and Smith have exceeded even the highest expectations, forming one of the NHL’s most exciting young duos. Their chemistry developed during their amateur days and has translated seamlessly to professional hockey, giving the Sharks a cornerstone around which to build for the next decade. The supporting cast of Eklund, Wennberg, and Toffoli provides the perfect balance of skill and veteran presence.

The Sharks’ defensive overhaul under general manager Mike Grier has been equally impressive. Orlov’s acquisition gave the blue line a proven winner, while the development of Liljegren, Ferraro, and the young defensive prospects creates enviable depth. This combination of established veterans and emerging talent mirrors the successful blueprint employed by championship teams in recent seasons.

This matchup represents a potential preview of Western Conference battles to come, as both franchises have positioned themselves for sustained contention. The Senators and Sharks share similar philosophies regarding roster construction, player development, and the importance of drafting and developing homegrown talent. Saturday’s game offers an early measuring stick for both organizations’ progress.

The outcome could have significant implications for playoff positioning later in the season. With both teams hovering around the playoff cutline, every point gained or lost in November becomes magnified during the March stretch run. Coaches Green and Warsofsky understand the importance of banking points during hot streaks, making this contest particularly meaningful despite its early-season timing.

After analyzing the projected lineups, recent performance trends, and strategic matchups, Saturday’s contest appears destined for a tight, low-scoring affair. Both teams feature strong goaltending, structured defensive systems, and enough offensive firepower to capitalize on limited opportunities. The Sharks’ home-ice advantage and slightly more rested lineup give them a slight edge, but Ullmark’s ability to steal games cannot be discounted.

The absence of Tkachuk might ultimately prove the difference, as the Senators lack their emotional leader and most physical presence against a Sharks team that thrives on establishing a strong forecheck. However, if Stutzle and Perron can generate early offense against Askarov, Ottawa possesses the defensive structure and goaltending to withstand San Jose’s youth-driven attack.

Expect special teams to play a pivotal role, with both power-play units ranking among the league’s most dangerous. The Sharks’ superior power-play conversion rate might provide the narrow margin needed in what projects as a one-goal game. Ultimately, San Jose’s depth and home-ice advantage should prevail in a contest featuring two of the league’s most promising young cores, but only if they can solve Ullmark’s brilliance between the pipes.