The Anaheim Ducks travel to TD Garden looking to build momentum after snapping their two-game skid with a convincing victory over Nashville. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins are desperately searching for answers as they continue to spiral through a troubling five-game losing streak. This Thursday night matchup on October 23, 2025, pits a young, emerging Ducks squad against a veteran Bruins team that has failed to find its rhythm in the early season. With puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET, both teams will be eager to establish their identities and secure a crucial two points.
The official NHL game preview confirms the projected lineups for both clubs, with several injury concerns and lineup adjustments that could significantly impact the game’s outcome. The Ducks enter with a 3-2-1 record while Boston sits at a disappointing 3-5-0, making this contest particularly meaningful for the struggling home team.
Anaheim Ducks vs Boston Bruins projected lineup October 23 2025: Ducks’ forward lines
Anaheim will deploy an intriguing top line featuring rookie sensation Cutter Gauthier alongside Leo Carlsson and veteran Alex Killorn. Gauthier has quickly adapted to the NHL pace and provides the speed and finishing ability that complements Carlsson’s playmaking vision. Carlsson, the young Swedish center, leads the Ducks with seven points through six games and has emerged as the team’s primary offensive catalyst. His chemistry with his linemates has been evident, and Killorn’s experience provides the stability needed for two young players still finding their footing.
The second line showcases the Ducks’ depth with Frank Vatrano centering Mason McTavish and rookie Beckett Sennecke. McTavish has contributed six points in the early going and continues to develop into the power forward the organization envisioned when they selected him third overall in 2021. Vatrano brings offensive punch and veteran savvy, while Sennecke, a recent first-round pick, gets an excellent opportunity to contribute in a scoring role. This line will need to generate secondary scoring to take pressure off the top unit.
Anaheim’s third line features Nikita Nesterenko, Mikael Granlund, and Troy Terry. Terry has been a consistent performer for the Ducks in recent seasons, and his combination with the playmaking abilities of Granlund should create opportunities. Granlund’s addition to the roster in the offseason has provided the veteran presence needed in the middle six. The fourth line rounds out with Ross Johnston, Ryan Poehling, and Sam Colangelo, providing energy and defensive responsibility in limited minutes.
The Ducks will be without Chris Kreider due to illness, though the forward did not participate in the morning skate. Additionally, Jansen Harkins remains on injured reserve with an upper-body injury but did take part in skating drills, suggesting he may be close to returning. Ryan Strome also remains out with an upper-body issue, forcing the coaching staff to rely on their depth players.
Anaheim Ducks vs Boston Bruins projected lineup October 23 2025: Bruins’ forward combinations
Boston will counter with their top line of Morgan Geekie, Elias Lindholm, and David Pastrnak. Pastrnak leads the Bruins with ten points and remains their most dangerous offensive weapon. The Czech winger’s ability to score from anywhere on the ice makes him a constant threat, and opposing defenses must account for his location at all times. Lindholm was brought in during the offseason to provide top-line center depth, and his two-way game has been solid even as the team struggles to find wins.
The second line features Casey Mittelstadt between Pavel Zacha and Viktor Arvidsson. Mittelstadt returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch and immediately made an impact with two assists in the loss to Florida. The message was sent and received—Mittelstadt responded with improved effort and execution. Zacha and Arvidsson provide complementary skills, with Zacha’s size and defensive awareness balancing Arvidsson’s speed and scoring touch.
Boston’s third line consists of Tanner Jeannot, Fraser Minten, and Jeffrey Truchon-Viel. This unit will focus on energy and physicality, with Jeannot bringing his trademark aggressive style. The fourth line of Michael Eyssimont, Sean Kuraly, and Mark Kastelic provides further depth and penalty-killing ability. John Beecher and Marat Khusnutdinov will be healthy scratches for this contest.
The Bruins are dealing with their own injury concerns, as defenseman Jordan Harris remains on injured reserve with a lower-body issue. Hampus Lindholm is listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed ailment and participated in the morning skate but will be a game-time decision according to head coach Marco Sturm. His absence would be significant given his importance to the team’s defensive structure and puck-moving abilities.
Anaheim Ducks vs Boston Bruins projected lineup October 23 2025: Defensive pairings analysis
Anaheim’s blue line will feature Jackson LaCombe paired with Drew Helleson on the top pairing. LaCombe has shown steady development and provides offensive instincts from the back end. Olen Zellweger, one of the organization’s top prospects, will skate alongside the veteran Jacob Trouba on the second pairing. Trouba’s acquisition brought leadership and physicality to a young defensive corps, and his partnership with the skilled Zellweger should provide a nice balance of styles.
The third pairing sees Pavel Mintyukov alongside Radko Gudas. Gudas remains the team’s most physical presence on defense and serves as a mentor to the younger players. Interestingly, Mintyukov is listed as a scratch despite being projected in the lineup, suggesting there may be some last-minute adjustments or the information reflects different lineup possibilities. The Ducks’ defensive group features a mix of youth and experience that has been serviceable through the early season.
Boston’s defensive structure starts with Mason Lohrei and Charlie McAvoy on the top pair. McAvoy is the team’s number-one defenseman and plays in all situations, logging heavy minutes against opponents’ best players. Lohrei, a young left-shot defender, has been given increased responsibility this season. The second pairing features Nikita Zadorov and Andrew Peeke, with Zadorov providing size and physical presence while Peeke offers reliable two-way play.
Michael Callahan and Henri Jokiharju form the third pairing, with Callahan recently recalled from Providence of the American Hockey League to address the team’s injury concerns. Callahan is expected to make his season debut for Boston in this game. The absence of Hampus Lindholm has forced the Bruins to shuffle their defensive pairs, and the lack of cohesion may be contributing to their current struggles. Boston ranks in the bottom five in the NHL in goals above expected in 5-on-5 play, a concerning statistic that highlights their defensive breakdowns.
Anaheim Ducks vs Boston Bruins projected lineup October 23 2025: Goaltending matchup
Between the pipes, Anaheim will turn to Petr Mrazek for his second start of the season. The veteran netminder provides stability and experience, though Lukas Dostal has been the team’s primary starter in the early going. Mrazek’s track record suggests he’s capable of stealing games when called upon, and the Ducks will need him to be sharp against a Bruins team desperate for offense. His positioning and ability to handle the puck will be tested by Boston’s skilled forwards.
For Boston, Joonas Korpisalo gets the nod in what has been a challenging start to his tenure with the Bruins. The Finnish goaltender was brought in to share the crease with Jeremy Swayman, but both netminders have struggled behind a porous defense. Korpisalo will need to provide timely saves and give his team a chance to build confidence. The goaltending situation in Boston has become a talking point as the losses mount, though much of the blame lies with the team’s play in front of their goalies rather than the goaltenders themselves.
The matchup between Mrazek and Korpisalo adds an interesting dimension, as both are experienced NHL goalies looking to prove they can still perform at a high level. Whichever goaltender can make key saves at crucial moments will likely give their team the edge in what projects to be a tightly contested game. Special teams battles often come down to goaltending, and both teams rank in the middle of the pack on the power play and penalty kill.
Anaheim Ducks vs Boston Bruins projected lineup October 23 2025: Key factors and special teams
The special teams battle could determine the outcome of this contest. Anaheim sits 17th in both power-play efficiency and penalty-killing percentage, showing balance but not dominance in either area. The Ducks will need their man-advantage unit to capitalize on opportunities, especially with players like Carlsson, McTavish, and Terry providing scoring threats from different areas of the ice. Their penalty kill has been adequate but will face a stern test against Boston’s weapons.
Boston’s struggles extend to their special teams as well, though David Pastrnak remains one of the league’s most lethal power-play threats. The Bruins’ inability to score consistently at 5-on-5 has put additional pressure on their power play to generate offense. Their penalty kill must also improve as they cannot afford to give up momentum-changing goals while shorthanded. The addition of Callahan to the lineup may help solidify their defensive zone coverage.
Momentum is clearly on Anaheim’s side after their victory over Nashville, while Boston must find a way to stop the bleeding of their five-game losing streak. The Bruins’ home crowd will be eager to see their team snap out of this funk, and the atmosphere at TD Garden could provide an emotional boost. However, confidence is fragile when results aren’t coming, and another loss would deepen the crisis in Boston.
Coaching adjustments will also play a role, as both teams look to exploit matchups and make in-game adaptations. The Ducks have shown they can play with pace and transition quickly, which could expose Boston’s defensive vulnerabilities. The Bruins need to establish a more structured defensive system and limit the high-danger chances they’ve been surrendering. Marco Sturm will need his veterans to lead by example and provide the steady play necessary to turn their season around.
Anaheim Ducks vs Boston Bruins projected lineup October 23 2025: What to expect from this matchup
This game represents a crossroads for both franchises, though for different reasons. Anaheim is building something with their young core and looking to establish themselves as a team that can compete consistently. A win on the road against an Original Six franchise would be a statement victory and validation of their progress. The Ducks’ patient rebuild is starting to show dividends, and performances like this help accelerate the development of their prospects.
Boston, conversely, is in crisis mode despite possessing veteran talent and high expectations. The pressure is mounting on players and coaches alike to find solutions before the season spirals further out of control. A loss at home to a team they should theoretically beat would raise serious questions about the direction of this season. The Inside The Rink preview notes that Boston’s underlying numbers in 5-on-5 play are troubling, suggesting their problems run deeper than simple bad luck.
The pace of the game will likely favor Anaheim, whose younger legs and transition game could create problems for a Boston team that has looked slow and disorganized. If the Ducks can establish their forecheck and force turnovers, they’ll generate quality scoring chances. Boston needs to slow the game down, play a more structured system, and rely on their power play to provide offense. The contrast in styles should make for an entertaining contest.
Individual battles will also be fascinating to watch. Carlsson versus Lindholm down the middle, Pastrnak trying to solve Mrazek, and the battle between Boston’s struggling defense and Anaheim’s speed will all factor into the final result. Role players often step up in games like these, and whichever team gets contributions from their depth forwards will have a significant advantage. The fourth lines and third defensive pairings could ultimately swing the outcome.
As both teams take the ice Thursday night, the storylines are compelling. Anaheim seeks to prove their victory over Nashville wasn’t an anomaly and that they can compete against quality opponents on the road. Boston desperately needs to rediscover their identity and give their fanbase a reason for optimism before the season slips away entirely. The projected lineups suggest both coaches are trying to find the right combinations, with injuries and performance forcing adjustments throughout the roster.
This October 23, 2025 matchup may not decide either team’s season, but it carries significant weight. For the Ducks, it’s an opportunity to build confidence and show their rebuild is ahead of schedule. For the Bruins, it’s a must-win game to prevent their early-season struggles from becoming a full-blown disaster. Fans tuning in on NESN, Victory+, or KCOP-13 should expect desperate hockey from the home team and confident, energetic play from the visitors. The final score may well determine how dramatically different the narratives become for these two franchises moving forward.
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.