The San Jose Sharks and Seattle Kraken are set to clash at Climate Pledge Arena on November 5, 2025, in what promises to be a compelling Pacific Division matchup. With the Sharks entering the game at 4-6-3 and looking to find consistency early in the season, they face a Kraken squad riding high with a 6-2-4 record. Both teams have undergone significant lineup adjustments due to injuries and tactical decisions, making the projected lineups particularly intriguing heading into this 10 p.m. ET puck drop.
This game carries additional weight as both teams jockey for position in a competitive Pacific Division. The Kraken have established themselves as a formidable home team, while the Sharks are desperately seeking the kind of performance that can kickstart their season. With rookies making their mark and veterans shouldering responsibility, the lineup decisions on both sides will play a crucial role in determining the outcome.
San Jose Sharks projected lineup for November 5, 2025
The Sharks will deploy a lineup that showcases their young talent while integrating key veterans throughout the forward lines. The top line features Tyler Toffoli alongside the dynamic rookie duo of Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, giving San Jose an elite combination of experience and skill. This triumvirate has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the early season and will be tasked with generating offense against a stingy Kraken defensive structure.
On the second line, Philipp Kurashev centers Alexander Wennberg and Adam Gaudette, with Gaudette making his return after missing four games with an upper-body injury. Gaudette’s presence adds a scoring dimension that the Sharks sorely missed during his absence, and his chemistry with his linemates will be crucial to establishing secondary scoring. The third line sees Jeff Skinner flanked by Michael Misa and Ethan Cardwell, though Misa’s status remains uncertain as he is listed as a game-time decision after leaving morning skate early with an undisclosed issue.
The fourth line brings together Barclay Goodrow, Ty Dellandrea, and Collin Graf, providing the Sharks with a gritty, energy-focused unit capable of wearing down opponents. This group excels at creating momentum shifts through physical play and smart positional hockey. If Misa cannot play, expect lineup shuffling that could see Graf or Cardwell potentially moving up in the lineup.
On the blue line, the Sharks’ defensive pairings feature Dmitry Orlov with Timothy Liljegren on the top pairing, combining offensive instincts with reliable defensive play. Mario Ferraro pairs with John Klingberg on the second unit, while the young pairing of Sam Dickinson and Shakir Mukhamadullin rounds out the defense corps. This youth-heavy defensive structure presents both opportunity and risk for San Jose.
In net, Yaroslav Askarov is projected to get the start with Alex Nedeljkovic serving as backup. Askarov has shown promise in his limited appearances this season and will need to be at his best against a Kraken offense that has been clicking on multiple cylinders recently.
The Sharks will be without several key players due to injury. William Eklund remains sidelined with a lower-body injury, depriving San Jose of one of its most consistent offensive threats. Nick Leddy is out with an upper-body injury, while Ryan Reaves also sits with a lower-body ailment. Vincent Iorio is a healthy scratch for this contest.
Seattle Kraken projected lineup for November 5, 2025
The Kraken enter this matchup with a lineup that reflects their strong start to the season. The top line features Eeli Tolvanen, Matty Beniers, and Jordan Eberle, a trio that has been remarkably productive through the first dozen games. Eberle, in particular, has been a catalyst with 5 goals and 5 assists for 10 points, tying him for the team lead in scoring alongside Jaden Schwartz.
The second line boasts impressive depth with Schwartz centering Chandler Stephenson and Kaapo Kakko. Schwartz’s 4 goals and 6 assists have him performing at a point-per-game pace, while Stephenson provides speed and playmaking ability. Kakko, acquired in a trade, has begun to find his footing in Seattle’s system and adds another scoring dimension to this already dangerous unit.
Seattle’s third line consists of Mason Marchment, Shane Wright, and Ryan Winterton. Wright, the former high draft pick, continues his development while contributing meaningful minutes in a middle-six role. Marchment brings size and skill, creating matchup problems for opposing defenses. The fourth line features Tye Kartye between Berkly Catton and Jani Nyman, giving Seattle energy and potential offensive pop from their bottom six.
Defensively, the Kraken deploy Vince Dunn alongside Adam Larsson on the top pairing. Dunn’s offensive capabilities complement Larsson’s stay-at-home style perfectly. The second pairing features Ryan Lindgren with Brandon Montour, who has contributed 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points while providing power-play quarterbacking. Josh Mahura and Jamie Oleksiak round out the defensive group, giving Seattle a blend of mobility and size on the back end.
Between the pipes, Joey Daccord is expected to start with Matt Murray backing him up. Daccord has been excellent this season and represents a significant reason for Seattle’s strong start. His ability to make timely saves and control rebounds will be tested against a Sharks team desperate for offensive production.
The Kraken face their own injury concerns, most notably the absence of Jared McCann, who will miss his eighth consecutive game with a lower-body injury. McCann’s 20-plus goal potential is a significant loss that Seattle has managed to overcome through balanced scoring. Ryker Evans remains out with an upper-body injury, while Frederick Gaudreau is also sidelined. Philipp Grubauer, Cale Fleury, and Ben Meyers are healthy scratches for this game.
Key matchups and tactical considerations for this Pacific Division battle
The center-ice battle will be paramount in this contest, with Macklin Celebrini likely drawing heavy attention from Seattle’s defensive structure. The rookie sensation has exceeded expectations early in his NHL career, and how the Kraken choose to contain him could dictate much of the game’s flow. Matty Beniers will need to continue his strong two-way play to neutralize the Sharks’ top line while contributing offensively.
Special teams could prove decisive in what projects to be a tightly contested affair. The Kraken have shown improved discipline in recent games but will need to stay out of the penalty box against a Sharks power play that, while inconsistent, possesses significant firepower with Celebrini, Smith, and Toffoli. Conversely, Seattle’s power play has been productive thanks to Montour’s quarterbacking and multiple shooting threats.
The physical dimension cannot be overlooked in this matchup. Both teams possess elements of sandpaper in their lineups, and the referees’ threshold for physicality could influence the game’s pace and style. The Sharks need to establish a forecheck that disrupts Seattle’s breakout patterns, while the Kraken will look to use their speed through the neutral zone to create odd-man rushes.
Goaltending may ultimately be the difference-maker. Daccord has been more consistent than the Sharks’ tandem this season, but Askarov possesses the raw talent to steal a game if he finds his rhythm. The team that gets the timely save in key moments will likely emerge victorious.
What this game means for both teams moving forward
For San Jose, this game represents an opportunity to build momentum and prove they can compete with the division’s better teams. A victory in Seattle would provide validation for their young core and demonstrate the progress being made under their current system. The return of Gaudette and potentially Misa gives them additional offensive weapons at a crucial juncture of the season.
The Kraken, meanwhile, are looking to solidify their position as legitimate playoff contenders. A strong homestand finish against a division rival would send a message about their intentions for the 2025-26 campaign. With McCann still sidelined, continued balanced scoring and stellar goaltending remain essential to maintaining their early-season success.
Both teams’ playoff aspirations hinge on collecting points in division games, making this November 5 matchup more significant than a typical early-season contest. As the NHL.com game preview indicates, both squads have much to prove and everything to play for as they navigate the challenging Pacific Division landscape.
The projected lineups suggest an entertaining brand of hockey with youth, speed, and skill on full display. Whether the Sharks can overcome their inconsistency or the Kraken continue their impressive start will be determined when the puck drops at Climate Pledge Arena. For fans of both franchises, this game offers a glimpse into the future of Pacific Division hockey while carrying immediate implications for the present standings.
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.