NHL Projected Lineups - Game Day March 25, 2026
Date: March 25, 2026
By IceHockeyMan Newsroom
Update: Additional matchups will be added as projected lineups are updated throughout the day.
Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins
Faceoff: 00:30 CET
Sabres - Projected lineup
Forwards
Peyton Krebs – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch
Jason Zucker – Ryan McLeod – Jack Quinn
Noah Ostlund – Josh Norris – Josh Doan
Zach Benson – Sam Carrick – Beck Malenstyn
Defense
Mattias Samuelsson – Rasmus Dahlin
Bowen Byram – Owen Power
Logan Stanley – Conor Timmins
Goalies
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Colten Ellis
Scratched
Alex Lyon
Zach Metsa
Michael Kesselring
Luke Schenn
Josh Dunne
Tyson Kozak
Injured
Tanner Pearson (lower body)
Jordan Greenway (middle body)
Jiri Kulich (blood clot)
Justin Danforth (lower body)
IHM Lineup Note:
Buffalo brings one of the most balanced offensive structures with Thompson driving elite finishing while Dahlin and Power control puck movement from the back end. This lineup can attack in waves if given space.
IHM Tactical Signals:
The Sabres should aim to control tempo through puck possession and activate their defensemen in transition. Their biggest edge comes from speed through the neutral zone and second-layer support.
Bruins - Projected lineup
Forwards
Marat Khusnutdinov – Fraser Minten – David Pastrnak
Casey Mittelstadt – Pavel Zacha – Viktor Arvidsson
Lukas Reichel – Elias Lindholm – Morgan Geekie
Tanner Jeannot – Sean Kuraly – Mark Kastelic
Defense
Jonathan Aspirot – Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm – Mason Lohrei
Nikita Zadorov – Henri Jokiharju
Goalies
Joonas Korpisalo
Jeremy Swayman
Scratched
Alex Steeves
Andrew Peeke
Jordan Harris
Michael Eyssimont
IHM Lineup Note:
Boston continues to rely on structure and discipline with McAvoy anchoring the defense and Pastrnak providing elite offensive finishing. Their depth allows them to stay competitive in controlled games.
IHM Tactical Signals:
The Bruins should slow the pace and reduce transition chances. Their best route is structured defense and efficient counterattacks rather than open play.
IHM Match Pressure Index:
Buffalo carries momentum and offensive edge, while Boston faces pressure to control tempo and limit high-danger chances. The outcome depends on whether the game becomes fast or structured.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs New York Rangers
Faceoff: 00:30 CET
Maple Leafs - Projected lineup
Forwards
Matias Maccelli – John Tavares – William Nylander
Matthew Knies – Max Domi – Easton Cowan
Dakota Joshua – Bo Groulx – Nicholas Robertson
Steven Lorentz – Jacob Quillan – Michael Pezzetta
Defense
Morgan Rielly – Brandon Carlo
Jake McCabe – Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Simon Benoit – Troy Stecher
Goalies
Joseph Woll
Anthony Stolarz
Scratched
Calle Jarnkrok
Philippe Myers
Injured
Auston Matthews (MCL)
Chris Tanev (groin)
IHM Lineup Note:
Toronto remains dangerous through wing-driven offense led by Nylander, but the absence of Matthews weakens the central structure. This lineup depends heavily on transition scoring.
IHM Tactical Signals:
Toronto should push pace and rely on quick offensive entries. Extended defensive sequences could expose their lack of depth down the middle.
Rangers - Projected lineup
Forwards
Gabe Perreault – Mika Zibanejad – Alexis Lafreniere
Will Cuylle – Vincent Trocheck – Adam Sykora
Tye Kartye – J.T. Miller – Conor Sheary
Taylor Raddysh – Adam Edstrom – Jaroslav Chmelar
Defense
Vladislav Gavrikov – Adam Fox
Braden Schneider – Will Borgen
Matthew Robertson – Vincent Iorio
Goalies
Igor Shesterkin
Dylan Garand
Scratched
Jonny Brodzinski
Drew Fortescue
Juuso Parssinen
Connor Mackey
Injured
Matt Rempe (upper body)
Urho Vaakanainen (upper body)
Noah Laba (lower body)
Jonathan Quick (upper body)
IHM Lineup Note:
The Rangers combine high-end skill with strong puck-moving defense led by Adam Fox. Their structure allows them to generate both controlled offense and transition threats.
IHM Tactical Signals:
New York should aim to control puck possession and force Toronto into defensive-zone play. Their advantage lies in balance and defensive stability.
IHM Match Pressure Index:
Toronto carries pressure to generate offense without Matthews, while the Rangers must capitalize on structural advantages and avoid high-tempo chaos.
Q&A: Projected Lineups and Starting Goalies
What is a projected lineup?
A projected lineup is an expected combination of players based on practices and team reports before the game.
Why are starting goalies important?
Goalies significantly impact game outcomes, influencing defensive confidence and game pace.
Can lineups change before games?
Yes, final lineups can change due to warmups, injuries or coaching decisions.
