The Bruins are up towards the clock, as they’ll quickly have to determine whether or not Jeremy Swayman or Linus Ullmark will begin Recreation 1 of their upcoming first-round sequence within the Stanley Cup playoffs.
It’s a choice some groups would kill for, however a tricky one nonetheless.
Boston’s loved having the finest goaltending duo in hockey for a few years now however hasn’t been right here earlier than. Ullmark is coming off a Vezina Trophy successful season, so when it got here all the way down to deciding who would begin towards the Florida Panthers in 2023, the reply was easy… for a few week or so. He struggled mightily in that sequence, seeing his save share dwindle from .938 within the common season to .896 throughout six video games within the postseason. The B’s turned to Swayman in Recreation 7, he gave up 4 targets in an additional time loss and the remainder is historical past — or lack thereof.
Swayman was coming in chilly, although, so no matter he did towards Florida in that remaining recreation at TD Backyard was going to have an asterisk. The Bruins will wish to keep away from placing somebody in that place once more, so the choice they do find yourself making will probably be crucial.
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Should you needed to wager on somebody getting the nod this 12 months, it could have been Swayman. He posted a 21-6-8 document, 2.36 targets towards common and a .922 save share previous to the commerce deadline, whereas Ullmark was 16-7-7, allowed 2.77 targets per recreation and had a .909 save share over that very same stretch.
It seemed like Boston would simply select the 25-year-old, however the script has been flipped.
Swayman’s been dangerous over his final three begins, permitting 12 targets and posting a .848 save share. Ullmark’s been large, posting a .955 save share whereas permitting simply 4 targets in three video games. He not is taking part in with the stress of presumably being traded hanging over his head and is flourishing with out it.
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Is there an answer to the issue of getting to determine between Swayman and Ullmark? No, in all probability not. The Bruins won’t should determine, although.
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Boston might theoretically simply experience the recent hand. If Ullmark remains to be taking part in effectively by the tip of the season, it’s his web till he proves in any other case. He’ll play till he offers Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery a cause to make the change. Swayman then will get a flip, and so forth.
It’s not an ideal answer, however it’s the one factor the Black and Gold haven’t tried.
Who do you assume ought to get the beginning in Recreation 1? Tell us within the feedback.