The Boston Bruins are in Detroit tonight for a matchup with the Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena, and both teams are rolling out lineups that reflect a mix of youth, depth, and some notable absences. Puck drops at 7 p.m. ET, and while it’s still early in the season, this is the kind of Eastern Conference tilt that can shape midseason momentum for both squads.
Bruins: Battling Through Injuries, Searching for Consistency
Boston enters this one with a 15-12-0 record, but they’re doing it the hard way. The Bruins are without several key names, including David Pastrnak, who will miss his third straight game.
Head coach Marco Sturm said Pastrnak is “close” but still needs a few more skates before returning. That’s a big hole in the lineup-Pastrnak’s offensive spark and power-play presence are hard to replicate.
They’re also without Charlie McAvoy (upper body), Jordan Harris (ankle surgery), Matej Blumel (lower body), and Henri Jokiharju (undisclosed). That’s a lot of talent on the shelf, particularly on the blue line, and it’s forced the Bruins to get creative with their pairings and forward groupings.
Here’s how Boston is expected to line up:
Forwards:
- Alex Steeves - Elias Lindholm - Morgan Geekie
- Casey Mittelstadt - Pavel Zacha - Viktor Arvidsson
- Tanner Jeannot - Fraser Minten - Mark Kastelic
- Marat Khusnutdinov - Sean Kuraly - Michael Eyssimont
Defense:
- Nikita Zadorov - Michael Callahan
- Hampus Lindholm - Andrew Peeke
- Mason Lohrei - Jonathan Aspirot
Goaltenders:
- Jeremy Swayman
- Joonas Korpisalo
With Pastrnak out, the top line of Steeves, Lindholm, and Geekie will be tasked with generating offense. Lindholm, in particular, will need to anchor that group and drive possession. The middle six features some intriguing combinations-Zacha and Arvidsson bring a blend of two-way play and scoring touch, while Mittelstadt continues to grow into his role as a reliable second-line center.
On the back end, Hampus Lindholm will shoulder more responsibility without McAvoy. He’s paired with Andrew Peeke, who’s been steady if unspectacular. The third pair of Lohrei and Aspirot is young and unproven, but they’ll be given a chance to show they can handle NHL minutes.
In net, Jeremy Swayman is expected to get the start, with Joonas Korpisalo backing him up. Swayman has been one of the Bruins’ steadiest performers this season, and with the team short-handed, they’ll need him to be sharp.
Red Wings: Star Power Up Top, Depth Down the Lineup
Detroit (13-11-2) counters with a lineup that features a dangerous top six and some veteran savvy throughout the bottom half. They’re also dealing with injuries-forward Mason Appleton is out for 7-10 days with a lower-body issue-but they’re in a slightly better spot health-wise than Boston.
Here’s the projected Red Wings lineup:
Forwards:
- Emmitt Finnie - Dylan Larkin - Lucas Raymond
- Patrick Kane - Andrew Copp - Alex DeBrincat
- Elmer Soderblom - Marco Kasper - Nate Danielson
- Michael Rasmussen - J.T. Compher - James van Riemsdyk
Defense:
- Simon Edvinsson - Moritz Seider
- Ben Chiarot - Axel Sandin-Pellikka
- Travis Hamonic - Albert Johansson
Goaltenders:
- John Gibson
- Cam Talbot
Detroit’s top line of Finnie, Larkin, and Raymond has the speed and skill to cause problems for any defense, especially one missing McAvoy. Larkin continues to be the engine of this team, and Raymond’s playmaking has taken another step forward this season.
The second line is where things get really interesting. Patrick Kane, still working his way into form, is paired with Copp and DeBrincat-two players who can finish plays and create space. If Kane finds his rhythm, this line could be a real problem for opposing teams.
On defense, the pairing of Edvinsson and Seider is one to watch. Seider is already one of the league’s top young blueliners, and Edvinsson’s size and skating make him a perfect complement. The second and third pairs provide a mix of experience and upside, with Sandin-Pellikka and Johansson bringing some fresh legs to the mix.
In goal, John Gibson is expected to start, with Cam Talbot as the backup. Gibson has had some ups and downs this season, but when he’s locked in, he’s capable of stealing games.
What to Watch
This game could come down to how well Boston’s makeshift defense handles Detroit’s top six. The Red Wings have more firepower and are slightly deeper up front, but the Bruins have a goaltending edge with Swayman between the pipes.
If Boston can get timely scoring from its middle six and keep the game tight, they’ve got a shot to grind out a win. But if Detroit’s speed and puck movement get going early, it could be a long night for a Bruins team still waiting for some of its stars to return.
Either way, expect a fast-paced, physical game between two clubs trying to find their footing in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff race.