Ducks vs Red Wings Preview: November 13, 2025

Anaheim Ducks forward lines for November 13, 2025

The Ducks’ projected lineup showcases the depth that has carried them to their impressive start. The top line remains intact with Chris Kreider centering Leo Carlsson and Troy Terry, a trio that has developed strong chemistry throughout the season. Kreider’s veteran presence combined with Carlsson’s playmaking abilities and Terry’s finishing touch has given Anaheim a legitimate scoring threat on every shift.

On the second line, Cutter Gauthier joins Mason McTavish and rookie sensation Beckett Sennecke. This unit represents the future of Anaheim hockey, blending youth with skill in equal measure. McTavish has taken significant strides in his development, while Gauthier’s speed and Sennecke’s hockey IQ create mismatches against opposing defenses.

The third line features Nikita Nesterenko alongside Ryan Poehling and veteran Alex Killorn. This group provides reliable two-way play and can chip in offensively when opportunities arise. Killorn’s experience in high-pressure situations, gained from his years in Tampa Bay, brings stability to a line tasked with shutting down opponents’ top units.

The fourth line gets a significant boost with Strome’s return. Slotting in between Granlund and Frank Vatrano, Strome rejoins a unit that should provide scoring depth many fourth lines lack. According to NHL.com, Strome’s presence gives the Ducks four legitimate scoring lines, something that could prove crucial against a Red Wings team that has struggled defensively at times. Granlund’s return after his own injury absence means Anaheim enters this game as healthy as they’ve been all season in their forward group.

Ducks defensive pairings and goaltending for November 13 contest

The Anaheim blue line features an interesting mix of emerging talent and veteran steadiness. Jackson LaCombe and Drew Helleson form the top pairing, a relatively young duo that has exceeded expectations with their poise under pressure. Their ability to transition the puck quickly has been crucial to Anaheim’s up-tempo style.

The second pairing of Olen Zellweger and Jacob Trouba brings contrasting styles that complement each other effectively. Zellweger’s offensive instincts and mobility pair well with Trouba’s physical presence and defensive reliability. This balance has allowed the Ducks to maintain pressure in all three zones without sacrificing defensive structure.

Pavel Mintyukov and Ian Moore round out the defensive corps on the third pairing. Both players bring energy and have shown improvement as the season has progressed. The notable absence remains Radko Gudas, who continues to deal with a lower-body injury. Gudas’s veteran leadership and physical play will be missed, but the current six defensemen have proven capable of handling increased responsibilities.

In goal, Lukas Dostal gets the nod as the starter, with Petr Mrazek serving as the backup. Dostal has been instrumental in Anaheim’s strong start, posting impressive numbers and giving the team confidence that they can win any night he’s between the pipes. His ability to make timely saves has often been the difference in tight games, and he’ll need to be sharp against a Detroit team desperate for offensive production.

Detroit Red Wings forward configuration against the Ducks

Detroit coach Todd McLellan made notable changes to his forward lines following Wednesday’s practice, shuffling personnel in an attempt to generate more offensive production. Alex DeBrincat moves up to the top line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, reuniting a combination that showed promise earlier in the season. DeBrincat’s elite shooting ability could be exactly what Larkin and Raymond need to elevate their production. According to The Hockey Writers, McLellan’s line juggling reflects the urgency to find scoring combinations that can consistently produce.

The second line now features Patrick Kane centering J.T. Compher and rookie Emmitt Finnie. Kane’s hockey IQ and playmaking remain elite even at this stage of his career, and the move to pair him with Finnie could help the young forward’s development. Compher provides responsible two-way play that allows Kane the freedom to create offensive chances.

Marco Kasper anchors the third line between Nate Danielson and Mason Appleton. This group has shown promise as a checking line that can also contribute offensively. Kasper’s development has been a bright spot for Detroit, and his willingness to battle in difficult areas makes this line effective at wearing down opponents.

The fourth line features veteran James van Riemsdyk alongside Andrew Copp and Elmer Soderblom. Van Riemsdyk’s net-front presence and veteran savvy provide different looks for opposing defenses. This unit’s primary responsibility remains defensive reliability, but they’ve shown the ability to chip in goals when opportunities present themselves. The scratches include Jacob Bernard-Docker, Jonatan Berggren, and Michael Rasmussen, giving younger players opportunities to prove they belong in the everyday lineup.

Red Wings defensive depth chart and goaltending situation for Anaheim matchup

The Red Wings’ defensive pairings remain relatively stable despite the offensive line shuffling. Simon Edvinsson and Moritz Seider continue as the top pair, with Seider’s all-situations excellence complemented by Edvinsson’s improving defensive awareness. Seider remains the cornerstone of Detroit’s blue line, logging heavy minutes in all situations and providing the shutdown presence necessary against top opposing lines.

Ben Chiarot and rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka form the second pairing, blending Chiarot’s physical, stay-at-home style with Sandin-Pellikka’s offensive creativity. The young Swedish defenseman has impressed with his poise handling the puck under pressure, while Chiarot provides the veteran stability and physicality needed to protect him. This pairing has shown promising chemistry as the season has developed.

Travis Hamonic and Albert Johansson round out the defensive corps on the third pairing. Both players bring steady, reliable play without many mistakes. Hamonic’s experience helps guide Johansson, who continues to develop his NHL game. The defense as a whole has been healthier than the forward group, with no injuries reported for this matchup.

John Gibson gets the start in goal against his former team. Gibson spent years as Anaheim’s franchise goaltender before being traded to Detroit, making this a personal homecoming of sorts even though the game takes place in Michigan. This marks Gibson’s second start against the Ducks in two weeks, giving him recent familiarity with their offensive tendencies. Cam Talbot provides veteran insurance as the backup. Gibson’s performance will be closely watched given the emotional component of facing his former organization, and the Red Wings will need him to be sharp against a Ducks team that has found ways to score from all four lines.

Key player absences and lineup notes for Ducks vs Red Wings projected lineup November 13, 2025

The most significant roster news for Anaheim centers on who’s returning rather than who’s missing. Strome’s season debut provides an enormous boost to the Ducks’ forward depth. Missing 16 games with an upper-body injury, Strome brings championship experience and offensive creativity to the bottom six. His presence allows other forwards to slide into more appropriate roles, strengthening the lineup from top to bottom.

Similarly, Granlund’s return after missing eight games with a lower-body injury gives Anaheim another veteran playmaker who can contribute in all situations. His absence had been felt on the power play and in the faceoff circle, and having him back makes the Ducks considerably more dangerous. The timing of both returns couldn’t be better as Anaheim looks to maintain its position atop the Pacific Division standings.

The Ducks’ only significant absence remains defenseman Radko Gudas, who continues recovering from a lower-body injury. While his physical presence and veteran leadership are missed, the current defensive group has performed admirably in his absence. The scratched forwards – Sam Colangelo, Ross Johnston, and Jansen Harkins – represent depth pieces who provide insurance but haven’t cracked the everyday lineup given the team’s strong performance.

Detroit enters the game with a clean bill of health, reporting no injuries on their roster. However, McLellan’s decision to scratch Berggren, Bernard-Docker, and Rasmussen sends a clear message about performance standards. These healthy scratches indicate that roster spots are earned, not given, and creates internal competition that McLellan hopes will raise the team’s overall level of play. The Red Wings held only an optional morning skate Thursday, suggesting confidence in their preparation and systems despite the recent line changes. The lack of injuries gives McLellan full roster flexibility, but the challenge remains finding the right combinations to generate consistent offense and climb back into playoff position.

Special teams and tactical considerations for Thursday’s matchup

The special teams battle could determine the outcome of this game between the Ducks and Red Wings. Anaheim’s power play has been a weapon during their strong start, with multiple units capable of generating dangerous scoring chances. The return of Granlund strengthens their man-advantage options, as his vision and passing ability create opportunities for shooters like Terry, Kreider, and Gauthier. The Ducks’ ability to move the puck quickly and attack from multiple angles has made them difficult to defend when up a man.

Detroit’s penalty kill will face a significant test containing Anaheim’s diverse offensive threats. The Red Wings have struggled at times to clear the zone effectively and prevent extended possessions in their defensive zone. Seider anchors the penalty kill with his ability to read plays and break up passing lanes, but the unit as a whole needs to be disciplined and active on sticks to prevent the Ducks from establishing their cycle game.

On the flip side, the Red Wings’ power play has been inconsistent this season, showing flashes of brilliance followed by stretches of ineffectiveness. The addition of DeBrincat to the top line could translate to the power play as well, where his one-timer from the left circle provides a dangerous option. Kane’s playmaking from the half-wall remains a weapon, but the unit needs to shoot more frequently and create net-front traffic to beat a Ducks team that has defended well at times this season.

McLellan’s tactical adjustments extend beyond line combinations to overall team structure. The emphasis on speed through the neutral zone and aggressive forechecking aims to disrupt Anaheim’s transition game. The Ducks thrive when they can exit their zone cleanly and attack with speed, so Detroit’s forecheck intensity will be crucial. Conversely, Anaheim will look to exploit any gaps in Detroit’s defensive coverage with their young, fast forwards. Faceoff battles take on added importance, as both teams want to control possession and dictate the pace. The coaching chess match between McLellan and the Ducks’ bench will be fascinating to watch as both teams try to impose their preferred style of play.

As puck drop approaches at Little Caesars Arena, both teams enter with different expectations but similar urgency. The Ducks aim to prove their strong start is sustainable, not a fluke, while getting key veterans back into game shape. The Red Wings need to show that their lineup changes can produce the offensive spark necessary to climb the standings in a competitive Eastern Conference. Gibson’s matchup against his former team adds narrative intrigue, but the game will ultimately be decided by which team executes its game plan more effectively across 60 minutes. With both rosters relatively healthy and motivated, this Thursday night matchup promises competitive hockey that could have playoff implications come April.