November 20, 2025 – Author: IHM News
Anaheim Ducks 4-3 Boston Bruins
Anaheim survived a heavy Boston shot volume to claim a 4-3 home win, with Scott Moore burying the late game-winner after a night full of hits, blocked shots and special-teams swings.
In Anaheim, the Ducks leaned into a classic underdog template: fast start, physical edge and a goaltender ready to absorb a barrage. Despite being outshot 39-33, Anaheim turned opportunistic offense and a committed shot-blocking effort into two points against a Bruins team that pushed hard in all three periods. The Ducks built an early 2-0 cushion, survived multiple Boston responses and finally sealed it when Scott Moore converted late in regulation, capping one of Anaheim’s grittiest wins of the young season.
First period – Ducks punch first, Bruins answer late
Anaheim came out sharp and direct. Just 2:29 into the opening frame, Jansen Harkins made it 1-0 Ducks, finishing a quick sequence after sustained forecheck pressure with help from Riley Johnston and Nikita Nesterenko. A few minutes later, the building erupted again when veteran defender Radko Gudas jumped into the rush and pushed the lead to 2-0 at 6:29, converting a feed from Mason McTavish with Benoit Sennecke also drawing an assist.
Boston slowly settled into its game, using controlled entries and point shots to tilt the ice. The Bruins were rewarded on the power play when Morgan Geekie struck at 14:58, ripping home a one-timer on the man advantage with Hampus Lindholm and Pavel Zacha picking up the helpers to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The tone turned nasty late in the frame as Frank Vatrano and Alex Steeves dropped the gloves at 19:32, a full-on heavyweight bout that underlined just how physical this matchup had become. Anaheim carried a 2-1 lead and plenty of emotion into the first intermission.
Second period – disallowed goal and traded blows
Boston thought it had its equalizer early in the second period when McTavish appeared to extend Anaheim’s advantage, but video review wiped the goal off the board for interference, giving the Bruins a lifeline.
The Ducks regrouped and re-established control on special teams. At 13:47, Ryan Strome restored a two-goal cushion on the power play, cashing in from the bumper spot with McTavish and Colton Gauthier providing the setup for a 3-1 lead.
Boston refused to go away. The Bruins continued to drive pucks from the points and funnel traffic to the crease. Their persistence paid off at 18:27 when Michael Eyssimont made it 3-2, finishing off a greasy net-front sequence after Nikita Zadorov kept the play alive at the blue line. The goal ensured the Bruins would head into the third within a single shot despite chasing most of the night.
Third period – Bruins rally, Moore wins it late
The final frame opened with more nastiness as Gudas and Truchon-Viel squared off in another fight at 2:13, with the Bruins forward also tagged for an instigator minor and a misconduct. That sequence gave Anaheim another chance on special teams, but Boston’s penalty kill held firm and kept the game within one.
The Bruins kept pushing and eventually tied it through special teams again. On a third-period power play, Geekie delivered his second of the night at 7:39, wiring home a quick release off a cross-seam feed from David Pastrnak with Lindholm collecting another assist to level the score at 3-3.
Instead of folding, Anaheim responded with a composed final stretch. The Ducks absorbed Boston’s rushes, blocked lanes in the neutral zone and waited for their moment. It arrived at 16:25 when Scott Moore jumped into a broken play, receiving a feed from Elias Carlsson and Trevor Terry before beating the Bruins goaltender for the 4-3 game-winner. Anaheim then locked down the final minutes, leaning on their structure and a locked-in goaltender to secure a statement victory.
Numbers box
- Shots on goal: Anaheim 33, Boston 39
- Shooting percentage: Anaheim 12.12% (4/33), Boston 7.69% (3/39)
- Blocked shots: Anaheim 21, Boston 18
- Goaltender saves: Anaheim 36/39, Boston 29/33
- Penalties: Anaheim 4, Boston 6
- Penalty minutes (PIM): Anaheim 14, Boston 26
- Key performers: Geekie (2 G, PP threat), Moore (GWG), Gudas (goal and physical edge), Strome (PPG)
Coach Mark comment
Anaheim followed a perfect home-ice blueprint. They started on time, won the trench battles and used structure to survive Boston’s talent. When you get that level of commitment to blocking shots and winning second pucks, you give your scorer a chance to be the hero, and Moore finished the job.
Questions & Answers | IHM Performance Metrics
How did Anaheim win despite being outshot?
The Ducks protected the middle of the ice, blocked 21 shots and forced Boston into a lot of low-percentage looks. Their goaltender handled the rest with a 92.31% save percentage.
What role did special teams play?
Both teams scored key power-play goals, but Anaheim’s timing was better. Strome’s second-period PPG restored control for the Ducks, while the Bruins’ units were chasing the game to pull even.
Who set the physical tone?
Gudas, Vatrano and Steeves turned this into a grinding, playoff-style game with their fights and heavy hits. That physical tone suited Anaheim’s identity and helped slow Boston’s skill through the neutral zone.
What does this result mean for Boston?
The Bruins generated enough volume to earn a point, but their game management in the first period and late-game defending cost them. It is a reminder that shot totals alone do not guarantee results when you lose the slot and net-front battles.
Did Anaheim find a repeatable formula?
Yes. Strong starts, hard forecheck pressure, disciplined layers in the defensive zone and a direct power play are all sustainable habits, especially at home where they control matchups and last change.
For more NHL recaps, tactical breakdowns and IHM Performance Metrics features, visit the main NHL section on IceHockeyMan.com. More NHL news on IHM.