Bruins vs Senators October 27, 2025 Preview

The Boston Bruins head into Canadian Tire Centre on October 27, 2025, desperately seeking answers to their early-season struggles. With a 4-6-0 record through ten games, the Bruins find themselves in unfamiliar territory as they face an Ottawa Senators squad that has found its footing at 4-4-1. The 7:30 p.m. ET matchup promises intriguing storylines, from lineup adjustments to key injuries that will shape both teams’ approaches.

Both organizations enter this contest with significant roster changes and injury concerns that have forced coaching staffs to get creative with their line combinations. The Bruins are missing two key defensemen, while the Senators will be without their captain for several more weeks. These absences have created opportunities for depth players to step up and make their mark in what could be a pivotal game for both clubs’ early-season trajectories.

Bruins projected lineup for October 27, 2025 matchup

The Boston Bruins will roll out a forward group led by their top line of Morgan Geekie, Elias Lindholm, and David Pastrnak. This combination has been tasked with carrying the offensive load for a team that has struggled to find consistent scoring through the first ten games of the season. Pastrnak remains the primary weapon, though he’ll need more support from his linemates to help reverse the team’s fortunes. Lindholm, brought in during the offseason to provide stability down the middle, has faced adjustment challenges in his new environment.

The second line features Casey Mittelstadt centering Viktor Arvidsson and Pavel Zacha, providing a balanced approach that combines speed and skill. This trio has shown flashes of chemistry but needs to establish more consistency. The third line sees Tanner Jeannot, Fraser Minten, and Michael Eyssimont grouped together, offering a physical presence and energy that head coach Jim Montgomery hopes can spark momentum shifts. According to NHL.com’s official game preview, these combinations represent the latest attempt to find winning chemistry.

On the fourth line, Marat Khusnutdinov returns to the lineup after sitting as a healthy scratch for three consecutive games. He’ll center Sean Kuraly and Mark Kastelic in what should be a defensively responsible unit tasked with matchup duties and penalty killing responsibilities. Khusnutdinov’s insertion comes at a critical time as the Bruins search for any spark that might jumpstart their season.

The scratched forwards include John Beecher and Jeffrey Viel, who will watch from the press box as the coaching staff opts for different combinations. This decision reflects the ongoing experimentation happening within the Boston organization as they try to find the right mix of players. The Bruins can’t afford to wait much longer to discover what works, as early-season holes can become difficult to climb out of in a competitive Eastern Conference.

Bruins defensive pairings and goaltending situation

Boston’s blue line has been hit hard by injuries, with Hampus Lindholm out due to an undisclosed issue and Jordan Harris sidelined with a lower-body injury. These absences have forced significant reshuffling of the defensive pairings. Mason Lohrei will skate alongside Charlie McAvoy on the top pair, giving the young defenseman increased responsibility and ice time. McAvoy remains the anchor of this group, but he’ll need Lohrei to step up and handle top-line minutes against Ottawa’s skilled forwards.

The second pairing features the sizeable Nikita Zadorov partnered with Andrew Peeke, providing a physical presence that should help in front of the net and along the boards. This duo will likely see time against the Senators’ second line and must be defensively sound while contributing to the breakout and transition game. The third pairing of Michael Callahan and Henri Jokiharju rounds out the defensive corps, with both players understanding their roles as depth contributors who must avoid costly mistakes.

Jeremy Swayman gets the starting nod in goal for the Bruins, with Joonas Korpisalo serving as his backup. Swayman’s performance will be crucial for Boston’s chances, as the team has struggled defensively at times and needs strong goaltending to stay competitive. The 26-year-old netminder has faced heavy workload expectations following his offseason contract extension, and this road game provides another opportunity to prove he can be the franchise goaltender Boston believes him to be.

Jonathan Aspirot was recalled from Providence of the American Hockey League but won’t dress for this contest, remaining as the extra defenseman in case of emergency. The defensive depth has been tested early, and having reinforcements available speaks to the organization’s cautious approach given the injury situation. As detailed on Daily Faceoff’s lineup tracker, these combinations represent the latest configuration as Boston searches for answers.

Senators projected lineup heading into Monday night

Ottawa’s forward group will be led by a top line of Nick Cousins, Tim Stutzle, and Drake Batherson, forming a dynamic combination that has shown excellent chemistry this season. Stutzle remains the driving force of this Senators offense, capable of creating scoring chances through his vision and playmaking ability. Batherson provides the finishing touch with his scoring prowess, while Cousins brings veteran savvy and a willingness to get to dirty areas. This trio will be the primary focus of Boston’s defensive game plan.

The second line features an interesting mix with Ridly Greig, Dylan Cozens, and David Perron. Cozens’ presence on this line adds a power element, as the young center continues developing into a complete two-way player. Perron’s veteran experience provides stability, while Greig’s tenacity and skill make this a dangerous combination that can capitalize on opponent mistakes. This group has the potential to be a difference-maker in tight games.

Ottawa’s third line puts together Michael Amadio, Shane Pinto, and Claude Giroux, giving head coach Travis Green a luxury of depth that many teams lack. Giroux’s continued effectiveness in his late-30s speaks to his professionalism and hockey IQ, and playing him on the third line creates matchup nightmares for opponents. The fourth line features Kurtis MacDermid, Lars Eller, and Fabian Zetterlund, though MacDermid is actually listed as scratched on the official game day report, creating some confusion about the final forward group configuration.

The Senators will dress the same lineup that dominated the Washington Capitals 7-1 on Saturday, except for their goaltending situation. That commanding victory provided a confidence boost and momentum heading into this matchup. When a team finds a winning formula, especially one that produces seven goals, there’s little reason to tinker with the combinations.

Senators defense and the Tkachuk absence

Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub form Ottawa’s top defensive pair, providing a solid combination of mobility and defensive responsibility. Sanderson, in particular, has taken significant strides in his development and is being counted on for heavy minutes. His skating ability allows him to recover when plays break down, while Zub’s steady presence provides reliable support. This pairing will see plenty of ice time against Boston’s top offensive threats.

Thomas Chabot and Nick Jensen make up the second pair, with Chabot serving as the offensive catalyst from the back end. The veteran has shown flashes of his best form this season, jumping into the rush and activating at opportune moments. Jensen brings experience and a sound defensive game, helping to cover when Chabot pushes forward. The third pairing features Tyler Kleven and Nikolas Matinpalo, both looking to prove they belong at this level with consistent, steady play.

The elephant in the room for Ottawa remains the absence of captain Brady Tkachuk, who underwent thumb surgery and will miss 6-8 weeks. This timeline puts his return somewhere in early December at the earliest. The fully torn thumb ligament required a two-hour surgical procedure, and Tkachuk has spoken about his frustration with this “bump in the road” early in the season. His physical presence, leadership, and goal-scoring ability represent a massive void in the Senators’ lineup.

In goal, Leevi Merilainen draws the start for Ottawa, with Hunter Shepard backing him up. Linus Ullmark, who spent years with Boston before joining Ottawa, has been given a complete night off to rest. Shepard was recalled from Belleville of the AHL specifically to dress as the backup, allowing Ullmark to recover fully. Jordan Spence joins MacDermid among the scratched players.

Key matchups and special teams considerations

The special teams battle could determine the outcome of this October 27 contest between two teams searching for consistency. Boston’s power play units feature talent but have struggled with execution at times this season. The top unit includes Morgan Geekie, Elias Lindholm, Pavel Zacha, David Pastrnak, and Charlie McAvoy, combining skill and shot generation. Pastrnak’s one-timer from the circle remains a weapon that opposing penalty kills must respect, while McAvoy’s point shot and ability to walk the line creates additional threats.

Ottawa’s penalty kill has been tested regularly and will need to stay disciplined against Boston’s power play weapons. Conversely, the Senators’ power play, led by Stutzle and supported by offensive defensemen like Chabot, presents its own challenges for the Bruins. With Tkachuk unavailable, the Senators have had to adjust their power play approach, relying more heavily on perimeter skill rather than net-front presence. This adjustment period has shown mixed results.

Boston’s penalty kill units, featuring Fraser Minten and John Beecher on the first group (though Beecher is scratched for this game, creating uncertainty about the actual configuration), must be aggressive and disciplined. The second penalty kill unit includes Sean Kuraly, Tanner Jeannot, Michael Callahan, and Andrew Peeke, prioritizing physicality and shot blocking. Clearing zones cleanly and limiting second chances will be essential against Ottawa’s skill players.

Face-offs represent another crucial area, particularly in special teams situations where winning the draw can dictate momentum and possession. Lindholm and Zacha handle most of Boston’s center ice draws, while Ottawa counters with Stutzle, Pinto, and Cozens. The team that wins the face-off battle, especially in the defensive zone during penalty kills, gains a significant advantage. These small details often separate winning and losing teams in evenly matched contests.

What to watch in the Bruins vs Senators projected lineup on October 27, 2025

Both teams enter this matchup desperate for positive results, though for different reasons. Boston’s 4-6-0 start has alarm bells ringing throughout the organization, as this roster was constructed to compete for championships, not struggle to reach .500. The pressure is mounting on both the players and coaching staff to find solutions before the season slips away. Road games against division rivals provide opportunities to build momentum or create deeper holes.

Ottawa’s 4-4-1 record keeps them hovering around playoff contention, exactly where management hoped they’d be at this stage of their rebuild. The Senators have shown they can compete with quality opponents when everything clicks, as evidenced by their seven-goal outburst against Washington. However, consistency remains elusive, and games like this one against struggling opponents become must-wins if the Senators harbor playoff ambitions.

The goaltending matchup between Swayman and Merilainen adds intrigue, as both netminders face expectations to prove themselves as legitimate starters. Swayman carries the weight of his contract extension and the departure of Liam Ullmark, while Merilainen looks to establish himself as a reliable option while the veteran Ullmark rests. Whichever goaltender plays better will likely see his team emerge victorious in what projects as a closely contested affair.

Khusnutdinov’s return to Boston’s lineup after three games as a healthy scratch bears monitoring. Young players often respond to benchings in one of two ways: they come back hungry and energized, or they appear tentative and afraid to make mistakes. His performance and confidence level will indicate whether the time in the press box helped refocus his game. Similarly, watching how Senators players like Sanderson and Greig handle increased responsibilities without Tkachuk provides insight into Ottawa’s organizational depth.

The 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop at Canadian Tire Centre sets the stage for a Monday night showdown that both teams need. Boston must find a way to string together wins before their early deficit becomes insurmountable in the competitive Atlantic Division. Ottawa looks to build on their convincing victory over Washington and prove they can beat quality opponents consistently. The projected lineups suggest both coaches believe they’ve found combinations that can produce results, but only the game itself will reveal whether these configurations translate to success on the ice.