San Jose looks to build on its earlier blowout as Ottawa arrives two points ahead and riding a two-game skid.
Ottawa brings 17 points to San Jose’s 15, giving the Sharks a chance to close the standings gap at SAP Center. San Jose has won three of its last five and beat Ottawa 6–2 earlier this season, while the Senators have lost three of five and enter on a two-game skid. The key scoring matchup features Macklin Celebrini, with 16 points in 12 games, against Tim Stützle, who has 19 points in 14; Drake Batherson adds 16 for Ottawa. San Jose’s turnover margin is -13.2 per game against Ottawa’s -9.7, a puck-control gap the Sharks need to narrow. The result may hinge on whether San Jose can limit Ottawa’s top scorers while turning Celebrini’s playmaking into chances.