Detroit Red Wings vs. Boston Bruins: Game Review – December 2, 2025
Final Score: Red Wings 5, Bruins 4
The Detroit Red Wings snapped their four-game losing streak with a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night at Little Caesars Arena. In front of 18,803 energetic fans, the Red Wings avenged their recent shootout loss to the Bruins from just days earlier while improving their record to 14-11-2.
Game Flow and Key Moments
Detroit came out strong in the first period, establishing a 2-0 lead that set the tone for the night. James van Riemsdyk opened the scoring on a breakaway, converting a perfect lead pass from Albert Johansson. Moritz Seider doubled the advantage with 6:11 left in the period when his shot from the point snuck between the post and Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman’s stick.
The second period saw the teams trading goals. Alex DeBrincat extended Detroit’s lead to 3-0 with a shot from the slot that trickled through Swayman’s pads. Boston showed resilience by scoring twice to cut the lead to 3-2, including Jonathan Aspirot’s first NHL goal in his 15th career game. However, Ben Chiarot’s crucial goal at 16:15 of the second period restored Detroit’s two-goal cushion, as he fired home his fourth of the season off a feed from Dylan Larkin.
Lucas Raymond’s power-play goal early in the third period pushed the Wings’ lead to 5-2, but the Bruins mounted a late comeback. Marat Khusnutdinov made it 5-3 at 14:57, and Alex Steeves scored his second goal of the night with just 11.2 seconds remaining to create a tense finish.
Standout Performances
Moritz Seider was the game’s first star with a three-point night (1 goal, 2 assists), showing why he’s becoming one of the league’s elite defensemen. Alex DeBrincat earned second-star honors with a goal and assist, while Boston’s Alex Steeves claimed the third star with his two-goal performance.
Red Wings goaltender John Gibson earned his first victory since October 28, stopping 33 shots in what coach Todd McLellan described as a “rollercoaster game for a goaltender.” On the other side, Jeremy Swayman, who had been brilliant in November (never allowing more than three goals in any start last month), was pulled after giving up five goals on 23 shots.
Hampus Lindholm was a bright spot for Boston, contributing three assists in defeat. The Bruins also got a memorable moment from Jonathan Aspirot, who celebrated his first NHL goal.
Postgame Notes
The win was particularly important for Detroit before embarking on a six-game road trip beginning Thursday in Columbus. “We have to take advantage of home games,” DeBrincat said postgame. “For the most part we’ve been good at home but for a couple duds, but overall we’ve been pretty good and we have to keep that up.”
The victory also helped the Red Wings keep pace in the tight Atlantic Division standings, where they now sit tied for second with 30 points alongside Ottawa and Boston, while Tampa Bay leads with 34 points.
The Red Wings did suffer one setback during the game as forward Michael Rasmussen left with an undisclosed injury after a collision with two Boston players. Coach McLellan indicated there was “nothing damaged” but the team would evaluate him the following morning.
This intense divisional matchup showcased the growing rivalry between these Original Six franchises, who will meet twice more this season – January 13 in Boston and March 21 in Detroit.
Photos: Tim Jarrold – In Play! magazine
