The San Jose Sharks head into Madison Square Garden on October 23, 2025, carrying the unwanted distinction of being the NHL’s only winless team this season. With an 0-4-2 record, the Sharks face a New York Rangers squad desperate to snap their own dismal streak—a 0-4-0 record on home ice that has stunned fans and analysts alike. While the circumstances differ dramatically, both teams enter this contest searching for answers, making this matchup one where at least one losing streak will finally come to an end.
The contrast between these two franchises couldn’t be starker. The Sharks are deep in rebuild mode, having finished last in the league standings each of the past two seasons. Meanwhile, the Rangers entered this season with playoff expectations, only to stumble out of the gate at The Garden with just one goal in their first four home games—an unprecedented offensive drought that has raised serious questions about their early-season struggles.
Sharks vs Rangers projected lineup October 23 2025: San Jose’s forward configuration
The Sharks’ projected forward lines for October 23 showcase their investment in youth development alongside veteran leadership. The top line features Tyler Toffoli flanking rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini and fellow first-year player Will Smith. Celebrini, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, has been everything the Sharks hoped for and more, leading the team with six points through six games despite the winless start.
On the second line, William Eklund centers between Alexander Wennberg and Jeff Skinner, providing a blend of speed and experience. Eklund has continued his development trajectory, showing improved two-way awareness that head coach Ryan Warsofsky has praised throughout training camp and the early season.
The third line features perhaps the most intriguing element of San Jose’s rebuild: 18-year-old Michael Misa, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Playing between Collin Graf and Adam Gaudette, Misa registered his first NHL point with an assist against the Islanders on October 21, a moment that provided a rare bright spot in an otherwise challenging start to the season. The fourth line consists of Barclay Goodrow, Ty Dellandrea, and Ryan Reaves, bringing grit and defensive responsibility to round out the forward group.
San Jose’s offensive struggles have been evident, but the underlying metrics suggest improvement may be coming. The Sharks have generated quality scoring chances but haven’t received consistent goaltending, and their finishing has been poor. With five of their six games resulting in four or more goals against, the defensive breakdowns have overshadowed any offensive progress.
Sharks vs Rangers projected lineup October 23 2025: Rangers’ forward depth chart
The Rangers’ projected lineup for October 23 features significant lineup juggling as head coach Mike Sullivan attempts to find the right combinations to ignite his team’s home offense. The top line remains intact with Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Will Cuylle, though this trio has struggled to find its rhythm at Madison Square Garden specifically.
The second line showcases some creativity, with Alexis Lafreniere shifting to center between J.T. Miller and Conor Sheary. Miller, acquired in a deadline deal last season, has provided offensive spark on the road but has been held off the scoresheet in home games. Lafreniere’s versatility allows Sullivan to experiment with different looks, particularly given Vincent Trocheck’s absence due to an upper-body injury.
The third line combines Juuso Parssinen, Noah Laba, and Taylor Raddysh—a development-focused trio that Sullivan hopes can provide secondary scoring. The fourth line features Adam Edstrom, Sam Carrick, and the physical presence of Matt Rempe, who made headlines last season with his aggressive style of play.
Sullivan addressed the offensive struggles following Wednesday’s practice, emphasizing the need for a “shooting mentality” and better net-front presence. “We sometimes pass up shots when we can sift pucks,” Sullivan explained. “I think we can have even more of a shooting mentality, but it goes hand in hand with having a net front [presence].”
The Rangers’ power play, currently ranked 26th in the league at 15.0 percent, presents both an opportunity and a concern. Against a Sharks penalty kill that has surrendered six goals in 19 attempts, New York should be able to generate momentum through special teams—if they can convert on their opportunities.
Sharks vs Rangers projected lineup October 23 2025: Defensive pairings breakdown
San Jose’s defensive corps for the October 23 matchup features Mario Ferraro paired with Vincent Desharnais on the top pairing. Ferraro, the team’s alternate captain, has logged heavy minutes throughout the losing streak, averaging over 22 minutes per game while facing top competition nightly. Desharnais provides physicality and reach at 6-foot-7, though his mobility remains a concern against faster opponents.
The second pairing consists of Nick Leddy and Vincent Iorio, with Leddy’s experience crucial for a young defensive group. The veteran has been on the ice for multiple goals against but continues to provide steady play and mentorship to younger defenders. Timothy Liljegren returns to the lineup after missing three games with an upper-body injury, partnering with Dmitry Orlov on the third pairing. Liljegren’s return pushes highly-touted prospect Sam Dickinson to a healthy scratch, a decision that allows the young defenseman to observe and learn.
Scratched alongside Dickinson is Philipp Kurashev, while John Klingberg (lower body) and Shakir Mukhamadullin (upper body) remain sidelined with injuries. The Sharks’ defensive depth has been tested early, and the team’s 4.83 goals-against average—worst in the NHL—tells the story of a unit still finding its identity.
For the Rangers, the top pairing of Vladislav Gavrikov and Adam Fox anchors a defensive group that has actually performed relatively well despite the team’s home struggles. Fox, a Norris Trophy winner, continues to quarterback the power play and log heavy minutes in all situations. His partnership with Gavrikov has shown promise, particularly in transition and defensive zone coverage.
Matthew Robertson pairs with Will Borgen on the second unit, providing a blend of puck-moving ability and physical play. The third pairing features Carson Soucy alongside Braden Schneider, offering defensive depth and penalty-killing reliability. Jonny Brodzinski and Urho Vaakanainen are healthy scratches, with Vaakanainen’s absence creating an opportunity for Robertson to gain valuable experience.
Sullivan has praised his team’s defensive structure and commitment, noting that the Rangers have “limited shot quality, shot quantity” while doing “a very good job” at eliminating second-chance opportunities. The coach’s confidence in his defensive group suggests the offensive drought—rather than defensive breakdowns—remains the primary concern.
Sharks vs Rangers projected lineup October 23 2025: Goaltending matchup analysis
Between the pipes for San Jose, Alex Nedeljkovic gets the projected start with Yaroslav Askarov backing him up. Nedeljkovic has faced a barrage of shots through the early season, with the team’s defensive breakdowns leaving him exposed far too often. His .879 save percentage reflects the difficult circumstances more than individual performance, though he’ll need to be sharp to give the Sharks a chance at their first win.
Askarov, the 22-year-old netminder acquired from Nashville in the offseason, represents the future in San Jose’s crease. Despite the rough start to his Sharks tenure—including a 5-4 overtime loss in his debut—the organization remains bullish on his long-term potential. Many scouts consider him among the most talented young goalies in the league, with the athleticism and compete level to become an elite starter.
For the Rangers, Igor Shesterkin stands as one of the few bright spots in their disappointing home start. Despite a 2-3-1 record through six starts, Shesterkin has been nothing short of spectacular, posting a 1.17 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage. He’s allowed two goals or fewer in each start, often keeping the Rangers competitive despite minimal offensive support.
Shesterkin’s brilliance has masked the Rangers’ offensive deficiencies at home, and he’ll be counted on again to shut down San Jose’s young forwards. Jonathan Quick provides reliable backup depth, though at 39 years old, the Rangers need Shesterkin to carry the majority of the workload during this crucial stretch.
The goaltending advantage clearly favors New York in this matchup, with Shesterkin operating at an elite level while the Sharks continue to search for consistency in net. According to NHL.com’s official game preview, this disparity could prove decisive in a game where both teams desperately need a victory.
Key injuries and lineup notes for October 23 contest
The injury report for both teams adds intrigue to the lineup decisions. San Jose will be without John Klingberg, who continues to deal with a lower-body injury that has sidelined him since the season opener. The veteran defenseman’s absence has forced younger players into expanded roles, accelerating the development timeline for prospects like Dickinson and Iorio.
Shakir Mukhamadullin remains out with an upper-body injury, further depleting San Jose’s defensive depth. The 23-year-old’s size and mobility would provide valuable minutes, but the Sharks have opted for a cautious approach with their young defender. Liljegren’s return provides a boost, though his conditioning after missing three games remains a question mark.
For New York, Vincent Trocheck’s upper-body injury creates a significant void down the middle. The veteran center has been crucial to the Rangers’ success in recent seasons, providing two-way excellence and faceoff proficiency. His absence forces the lineup shuffling that has Lafreniere moving to center and opens opportunities for players like Laba and Parssinen to prove their NHL readiness.
The Rangers’ decision to scratch Vaakanainen and Brodzinski reflects Sullivan’s desire to establish consistent line combinations and defensive pairings. With a four-game road trip looming, the coaching staff wants to enter that stretch with chemistry and confidence, making the Sharks game even more important for lineup continuity.
Historical context and recent head-to-head results
The Rangers have dominated this matchup in recent years, posting an 11-0-2 record in their past 13 games against the Sharks, including a 6-0-1 mark at Madison Square Garden. Last season, New York edged San Jose 3-2 at home on November 14 before cruising to a 6-1 victory in California on March 29.
However, history means little when both teams are struggling as desperately as these two franchises currently find themselves. The Rangers’ inability to score at home has been unprecedented—just one goal in 240 minutes of home ice time to start the season. Three straight shutout losses to begin the home campaign left fans stunned and raised questions about whether psychological factors were impacting the team’s performance.
The Sharks, meanwhile, have now gone 45 years since their last comparable start to a season. Their 0-4-2 record through six games matches their worst beginning since the 1992-93 season, when the expansion franchise was still finding its footing in the NHL. While expectations are obviously different given their rebuild status, the lack of wins has been discouraging for a fan base looking for signs of progress.
As Forever Blue Shirts detailed in their game preview, Sullivan characterized this as a must-win situation: “Do we want to be a harder team to play against at home? For sure.” With a four-game road trip beginning Sunday in Calgary, the Rangers cannot afford to go winless in October at Madison Square Garden, which would happen with a loss on the 23rd since they don’t return home until November 4.
Special teams battle could determine outcome
The power-play efficiency—or lack thereof—could prove decisive in this matchup. The Rangers rank 26th in the league at 15.0 percent on the man advantage, converting just three times in 20 opportunities. More frustratingly for Sullivan and his coaching staff, the Rangers have generated numerous Grade-A scoring chances on the power play, including prime opportunities for Zibanejad and Miller in Monday’s loss to Minnesota.
“They’ve had a lot of zone time, so that’s a positive thing that their spending a significant amount of time in the offensive zone,” Sullivan noted Wednesday. “They’ve generated a fair amount of scoring chances. The next step is we have to put it into the net.”
The Sharks’ penalty kill has struggled mightily, allowing six goals on 19 times shorthanded. That 68.4 percent success rate ranks near the bottom of the league and presents an obvious opportunity for the Rangers to break through offensively. If New York can establish momentum through power-play success, it could open up five-on-five scoring chances that have been so elusive at home.
San Jose’s power play hasn’t fared much better, though with fewer opportunities. The Sharks have focused on building systematic play rather than chasing immediate results, a philosophical approach that makes sense given their developmental stage. Against Shesterkin, however, the Sharks will need to capitalize on any power-play chances they receive, as five-on-five goals against the Rangers’ goaltender have been nearly impossible to generate.
The faceoff battle also merits attention, particularly with Trocheck out for New York. The Rangers have struggled in the dot at home, and San Jose’s centers—led by Wennberg—have held their own in this area. Possession off draws could determine which team controls play and generates sustained offensive zone time.
Both teams enter Madison Square Garden on October 23 carrying heavy burdens and desperate for relief. The Sharks seek their first win of the season and validation that their rebuild is progressing, while the Rangers need to solve their home ice mystery before heading out on a lengthy road trip. With contrasting timelines and expectations, this matchup nonetheless carries significant weight for both franchises. The projected lineups suggest Sullivan will lean on his stars to deliver, while San Jose will look to its young core to rise to the occasion. Given Shesterkin’s dominance and the Rangers’ historical success against San Jose, New York enters as the clear favorite—but in a season where nothing has gone according to script at The Garden, assumptions are dangerous. When the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET, one team will finally break free from their losing streak, providing a much-needed moment of relief in what has been a challenging start to the 2025-26 season.
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.