Anaheim Ducks Stage Offensive Explosion to Down Boston Bruins 7-5 in High-Scoring Thriller

The Anaheim Ducks put on an offensive showcase at TD Garden, scoring seven goals to defeat the Boston Bruins 7-5 in a back-and-forth thriller that saw multiple lead changes and a furious third-period rally fall short for the home side. The loss marks a rare defensive breakdown for Boston, who struggled to contain Anaheim's relentless attack throughout the evening.

The Bruins started promisingly when Casey Mittelstadt gave them a 1-0 lead just over two minutes into the first period, crashing the net to knock in the rebound of Pavel Zacha's shot. However, the Ducks quickly responded and took control of the game's tempo, building leads that the Bruins continually had to chase. Morgan Geekie potted his fourth goal of the season in the middle frame to make it 2-1, with David Pastrnak picking up the assist, but Anaheim's offensive firepower proved too much to contain.

The third period saw the game open up dramatically, with both teams trading goals in rapid succession. Mikael Granlund's power-play goal at 2:52 of the third period pushed Anaheim's lead to 4-3, before Sam Colangelo extended the advantage to 5-3 at 7:49. The Bruins mounted a desperate comeback attempt, but despite scoring two late goals to make it 7-5, they couldn't complete the rally as Anaheim held firm in the final minutes.

The defeat continues a challenging stretch for Boston, who have struggled with defensive consistency in recent games. The Bruins' inability to shut down Anaheim's top lines proved costly, as the Ducks' offensive depth was on full display with seven different goal scorers potentially contributing to the win. TD Garden faithful witnessed a rare high-scoring affair that saw Boston's typically stingy defense unravel against a determined opponent.

For Anaheim, the victory represents a significant road win against a playoff-caliber opponent and demonstrates the young Ducks' growing offensive confidence. Their ability to withstand Boston's third-period surge and maintain their composure in a hostile environment speaks to the team's maturation throughout the season. The Ducks will look to build on this momentum as they continue their Eastern Conference road trip.

The Bruins now face questions about their defensive structure heading into their next game, with head coach Jim Montgomery likely to address the breakdowns that led to seven goals against. With playoff positioning on the line, Boston will need to tighten up defensively and return to the system that has served them well for much of the season.