Boston Bruins vs Anaheim Ducks Picks and Predictions February 22nd 2025

Boston Bruins vs Anaheim Ducks February 22nd 2025

Looking to win big? The Ducks and Bruins face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Bruins are hosting the game at TD Garden in Boston, MA. The odds for this non-conference game currently have the Bruins as the -1.5 favorite, with the over/under line sitting at 5.5 goals.

Anaheim vs. Boston Key Information

• Teams: Ducks at Bruins
• Where: TD Garden Boston
• Date: Saturday, February 22nd
• Betting Odds BOS -202 | ANA +170 O/U 5.5

The Ducks Can Win If…

Anaheim fell to 24-24-6 after a 4-2 loss to the Blackhawks. The Ducks were favored on the puck line but failed to cover, and the total of 6 goals fell short of the 6.5 line.

After trailing 3-0, the Ducks finally got on the board in the third period. Brock McGinn scored at 10:16, and Mason McTavish added another with just 4 seconds left in the game.

Anaheim’s offense was held scoreless until the third period in their 4-2 loss to Chicago. Brock McGinn netted his second goal of the season, while Mason McTavish added his second as well, coming on a power play with just four seconds left in the game.

The Ducks fired 39 shots on goal but only managed to convert twice. They recorded 16 giveaways and picked up three assists, with Troy Terry earning his fifth assist of the season on McTavish’s late goal.

Anaheim’s defense struggled early, allowing the first three goals, including two on the power play. The Ducks closed the gap to 3-1 in the 3rd period, but they conceded again at 17:43. Lukas Dostal made 25 saves with an 86.2% save percentage.

• Over their last three games, the Ducks have gone 3-0 straight up. Against the spread, the team is 3-0 in these same games while going 0-3 on the over/under.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Ducks have gone 6-4 straight up. Against the spread, Anaheim went 7-3 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 4-5-1.

The Bruins Can Win If…

Boston improved to 27-24-6 with a 2-0 win over the Kraken. The Bruins covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total was set at 6 goals, but the combined 2 goals fell well below that mark.

Both of Boston’s goals came in the first period, with Justin Brazeau scoring at 3:23 and Charlie Coyle adding another at 9:57. The Bruins’ defense held strong, limiting Seattle to 23 shots on goal.

The Bruins took 33 shots on goal in their 2-0 win over the Kraken, with Justin Brazeau netting his 5th goal of the season and Charlie Coyle adding his 2nd, which came on a power play. Boston scored both goals in the first period, with Brazeau finding the net 3:23 into the game and Coyle following at the 10:03 mark.

Boston recorded 16 offensive giveaways and 4 assists in the game.

The Bruins’ defense was impressive in their last game, leading to a 2-0 win over the Kraken. Jeremy Swayman made 23 saves with a 100% save percentage, while the defense contributed 5 takeaways and 15 hits. Boston’s defense also blocked 27 shots and didn’t allow a goal after the Bruins went up 2-0 at the 10:03 mark in the 1st period.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Bruins have gone 1-2 straight up. They have held up well vs the puck line in these matchups, going 3-0 as well as an over-under record of 1-2.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Bruins have gone 5-5 straight up. Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 7-3 to go along with an over-under mark of 6-4.

The Lean

If you’re considering a direct moneyline bet, the Bruins is the choice to make. However, with a payout of -202, you might want to use this bet as a building block for a parlay.

For my recommended choice in the puck line, I’m leaning towards the Ducks to cover. Even if the Bruins secure a straight-up win, this game is expected to be tightly contested, and the Ducks should cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

Bruins Begin Playoff Push at Home

Two nights after TD Garden hosted the dramatic 4 Nations Face-Off finale, the Boston Bruins return to the ice, focused on securing a playoff spot. Sitting just one point outside the Eastern Conference wild-card race, the Bruins kick off a crucial three-game homestand Saturday night against the Anaheim Ducks. With only 25 games remaining, head coach Joe Sacco emphasized the importance of starting strong and building momentum.

“We have to play some good hockey here in the last 25 games to put ourselves in a position to compete for a playoff spot,” Sacco said. “I don’t know the exact number of (points) that it’s going to take to get in. … But let’s look short term here, two or three games (at a time) and try to take care of business.”

Stars Return from International Competition

Captain Brad Marchand and goaltender Jeremy Swayman are both expected to play Saturday after competing on opposite sides of the United States-Canada final at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Marchand, who posted points in six of his final seven games before the break, aims to carry that momentum back to the Bruins.

“It means a little bit more being here,” Marchand said of winning the tournament in Boston. “I care tremendously about this city and the people and the fans; have a lot of friends and family here. But at the end of the day, when you get on the ice, you don’t think about that stuff.”

However, the Bruins will be without top defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm. McAvoy suffered “a significant injury to his AC joint” during Team USA’s tournament opener and is considered week-to-week after being released from the hospital Thursday. Lindholm remains sidelined with a lower-body injury that has kept him out since November.

“He’s such a gamer,” forward Charlie Coyle said of McAvoy. “He plays hard. Yeah, injuries and things happen, but he was a man possessed playing those games. He was so much fun to watch. It fired me up watching on TV.”

Ducks Surge Into Playoff Hunt

While the Bruins are battling for an Eastern Conference wild-card spot, the Anaheim Ducks have their sights set on climbing into the playoff picture in the Western Conference. Sitting nine points behind the eighth seed, the Ducks gained ground by going 6-1-0 before the break, reaching the .500 mark and boosting their postseason aspirations.

“We’ve demonstrated that we’re capable of beating any team in the league,” Ducks coach Greg Cronin said. “I think we’re in a good spot. … We’re hunting down that eighth spot. This gives us an opportunity.”

Anaheim closed the first half of the season with three one-goal victories, including a 2-1 shootout win against the Los Angeles Kings on Feb. 8. Goaltender Lukas Dostal was outstanding, making 44 saves to earn his career-high 15th win of the season. Maine native Brian Dumoulin contributed offensively, scoring his first goal of the year.

Veteran forward Ryan Strome praised the team’s improved consistency, noting that the Ducks have avoided prolonged losing streaks that plagued them in previous seasons.

“We’ve been more consistent,” Strome said. “Other than that tough road trip we had (1-4-1 in January), we haven’t really had any slides. I think that’s the biggest thing. We’ve been able to rectify a bad game quicker than the last couple years where we (would) go on long droughts.”

Youth Movement Driving Anaheim’s Success

The Ducks’ resurgence has been fueled by their talented young core, including 2023 No. 2 overall pick Leo Carlsson and 22-year-old Mason McTavish. McTavish entered the break on a hot streak, scoring seven goals in his last eight games. As Anaheim looks to maintain its playoff push, contributions from its emerging stars will be critical.

Learn how emerging trends and statistical analysis are redefining the NHL Conference betting landscape

Playoff Stakes and Season Series

With both teams vying for playoff positioning, Saturday’s game carries significant weight. The Bruins, with home-ice advantage, look to capitalize on their three-game homestand to move back into a wild-card spot. Meanwhile, the Ducks aim to build on their recent success and narrow the gap in the Western Conference standings.

As Marchand, Swayman, and the Bruins return to NHL action, expect an intense matchup against a young and hungry Ducks squad determined to keep its playoff hopes alive.