How to watch the NHL game between the Boston Bruins and the Anaheim Ducks, as well as puck drop time and team news.

The Bruins expected defense to be their strength this season. Between growing pains, a new system and injury, it’s been the opposite.

BOSTON -- Mikael Granlund had an NHL career-high five points, Nikita Nesterenko had an NHL career-high four points, and the Anaheim Ducks recovered late for a 7-5 victory against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden in Boston on Thursday.

The Boston Bruins allowed seven goals at home in a loss to the Anaheim Ducks, as a difficult stretch continues.

A look at the top performers from Thursday's showdown between the Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks over at TD Garden.

Casey Mittelstadt gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead just over two minutes into the first period. The forward crashed the net and knocked in the rebound of Pavel Zacha’s shot for his third goal of the season, and third point in two games. With the assist on the play, Zacha has four points (one goal, three assists) in the last three games.

BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Bruins will try to end their five-game slide when they play the Anaheim Ducks. Boston has a 2-2-0 record in home games and a 3-5 record overall. The Bruins have a 1-3-0 record in games they have more penalties than their opponent.

The Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks take the ice in NHL play at TD Garden on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. ET. The matchup airs on ESPN+. Boston suffered a 4-3 defeat at home its last time out on Oct. 21 against the Florida Panthers. Anaheim won on the road in its last game on Oct. 21, 5-2 over the Nashville Predators.

The Boston Bruins put on an offensive outburst against the Anaheim Ducks. They scored five goals, which are usually enough to win a hockey game. However, the Bruins lost the game by two goals and are soul-searching for answers.