The Boston Bruins will host the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday at TD Garden for Hockey Fights Cancer Night, aiming to snap a recent skid. Defenseman Hampus Lindholm is a game-time decision after missing two games for precautionary reasons, while Michael Callahan is set for his season debut. Joonas Korpisalo is expected to start in net for Boston against a Ducks team fresh off a 5-2 win over Nashville.
The Bruins (3-5-0) enter the matchup looking to rebound from recent losses, including a 4-3 defeat to the Panthers. The game tips off at 7 p.m. ET at TD Garden in Boston, marking Hockey Fights Cancer Night presented by Mass General Brigham. Anaheim (3-2-1) comes in confident after Ross Johnston, Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Beckett Sennecke scored in their 5-2 victory over Nashville on Tuesday, with Lukas Dostal stopping 26 shots.
For Boston, Lindholm—who spent nine seasons with the Ducks—is a game-time decision for an undisclosed injury, having participated in the morning skate. Coach Marco Sturm noted the team's caution: “I think both sides, we just want to feel comfortable moving forward. That’s why it’s been dragging on for a little bit. Do we need him? Yes, absolutely. But again, we just want to make sure we do the right thing, not just for the short run but for the long run.” If unavailable, Michael Callahan steps in after being recalled from Providence of the American Hockey League on Wednesday, following Jordan Harris' placement on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. The 26-year-old from Franklin, Massachusetts, played four games with Providence this season and 17 with Boston last year, scoring one goal. Callahan practiced on the third pairing with Henri Jokiharju and said, “I’ve done it before, which I think is good experience to have coming up—that makes a big difference. You kind of know what to expect coming in this building and obviously have seen the guys all before.” He added his approach: “Go in, play a strong defensive game. Being a guy who comes up, that’s kind of what they’re going to rely on me for. Just play simple, steady and defend hard. Take it from there."
Korpisalo will be in goal after making 24 saves in his last outing against the Utah Mammoth on Sunday. He has a 3.36 goals-against average and .865 save percentage through three games. Nikita Zadorov leads the NHL with 38 hits in eight games and has two points (one goal, one assist), often pairing with Jokiharju but taking reps with Andrew Peeke.
Anaheim's Leo Carlsson leads the team with seven points (three goals, four assists) in six games, centering the first line with Gauthier and Alex Killorn. Defenseman Drew Helleson has two points (one goal, one assist), tying for the most among Ducks blueliners, and pairs with Jackson LaCombe. Helleson played three NCAA seasons at Boston College from 2019-22.
Projected Lineups
Bruins: Morgan Geekie -- Elias Lindholm -- David Pastrnak; Casey Mittelstadt -- Pavel Zacha -- Viktor Arvidsson; Tanner Jeannot -- Fraser Minten -- Jeffrey Viel; Michael Eyssimont -- Sean Kuraly -- Mark Kastelic. Defense: Mason Lohrei -- Charlie McAvoy; Nikita Zadorov -- Andrew Peeke; Michael Callahan -- Henri Jokiharju. Goalies: Joonas Korpisalo, Jeremy Swayman. Scratches: John Beecher, Marat Khusnutdinov.
Ducks: Cutter Gauthier -- Leo Carlsson -- Alex Killorn; Frank Vatrano -- Mason McTavish -- Beckett Sennecke; Nikita Nesterenko -- Mikael Granlund -- Troy Terry; Ross Johnston -- Ryan Poehling -- Sam Colangelo. Defense: Jackson LaCombe -- Drew Helleson; Olen Zellweger -- Jacob Trouba; Pavel Mintyukov -- Radko Gudas. Goalies: Petr Mrazek, Lukas Dostal. Scratches: None. Injured: Jansen Harkins (upper body), Ryan Strome (upper body), Chris Kreider (illness).