Sharks at Senators preview

Senators coach D.J. Smith cited Ryan's lack of production when asked about the decision to sit the 32-year-old forward, who has one assist in his past six games.

Goalie Craig Anderson will start for the Senators, who are 1-4-1 in their past six games. Aaron Dell starts for the Sharks, who are 1-2-1 after a three-game winning streak.

Players to watch

Sharks forward Tomas Hertl has 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in his past six games.

Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot has six points (one goal, five assists) during a five-game point streak.

They said it

"I don't think there's as many balls up in the air as there were last year. It's going to be a fun night tonight. I always enjoy playing in this rink. Now I only get to do it once a year, so I'm really going to soak it all up." -- Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson on returning to Ottawa for the second time since being traded to San Jose on Sept. 13, 2018

"It's one of those things that we've had all year long: show up to work, put on the work boots, make sure you're doing everything you possibly can to earn your ice time. It's no different, whether you're a young guy or an old guy or a guy that's in the middle of the road, you've got to earn your ice time. So that's kind of the message." -- Senators goalie Craig Anderson on the scratching of Bobby Ryan  

Sharks projected lineup

Patrick Marleau -- Logan Couture -- Kevin Labanc

Evander Kane -- Tomas Hertl -- Timo Meier

Joe Thornton -- Dylan Gambrell -- Marcus Sorensen

Noah Gregor -- Barclay Goodrow -- Melker Karlsson

Marc-Edouard Vlasic -- Brent Burns

Brenden Dillon -- Erik Karlsson

Mario Ferraro -- Tim Heed

Aaron Dell

Martin Jones

Scratched: Jonny Brodzinski, Trevor Carrick, Lukas Radil

Injured: Radim Simek (leg), Dalton Prout (undisclosed)

Senators projected lineup

Brady Tkachuk -- Logan Brown -- Anthony Duclair

Vladislav Namestnikov -- Chris Tierney -- Tyler Ennis

Nick Paul -- Jean-Gabriel Pageau -- Connor Brown

Filip Chlapik -- J.C. Beaudin -- Scott Sabourin

Thomas Chabot -- Nikita Zaitsev

Erik Brannstrom -- Ron Hainsey

Mark Borowiecki -- Dylan DeMelo

Craig Anderson

Anders Nilsson

Scratched: Cody Goloubef, Bobby Ryan

Injured: Colin White (groin, hip flexor), Artem Anisimov (lower body)

Status report

Sharks coach Pete DeBoer said Simek and Prout are doubtful to return before the end of the road trip. … Chlapik was recalled from Belleville of the American Hockey League.

Stat pack

The Sharks have the best penalty kill in the NHL at 92.5 percent. … The Senators have been outscored 17-12 in their past six games.