Jim Montgomery, Bruins still ‘contemplating’ Game 2 starter in net
Jeremy Swayman has won his last five games against Toronto, sporting a .963 save percentage over that stretch.
Much like the build-up to Game 1 against the Maple Leafs, Jim Montgomery and the Bruins are keeping their cards close to their chest when it comes to announcing a starter in net for Monday’s rematch at TD Garden.
“We’re still contemplating, you know, what’s the right way to go,” Montgomery told reporters Sunday of Boston’s looming decision between the pipes.
Montgomery and the Bruins have a good problem on their hands when it comes to choosing between Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark for Game 2.
The Bruins have not steered away from their tried-and-true goalie rotation for months now. With Swayman getting the nod on Saturday, Boston has alternated between goalies for the last 26 games.
The natural move for Montgomery would be to keep that rotation rolling and go with Ullmark in Game 2. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner closed out the regular season on a high note — going 6-3-0 with a .935 save percentage since the trade deadline.
But Montgomery and the Bruins might be tempted to ride the hot hand in Swayman, who has thrived over the last two years against a high-powered Maple Leafs offense.
Swayman played a key role in Boston’s 5-1 win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday, stopping 35 of the 36 shots that came his way.
“Dream come true,” Swayman said of getting the nod for Game 1. “It’s such a privilege to play in this league and for this city. And taking that first lap and hearing the fans, seeing the towels is a pretty emotional feeling.
“And we just understand how hard it is to get here and what a great opportunity it was, so I couldn’t wipe that smile off my face the whole night. Pretty spectacular.”
Swayman’s play on Saturday is the latest in a long line of strong performances by the Bruins’ netminder against the Leafs.
The 25-year-old goalie has won his last five starts against Toronto dating back to last season, sporting a .963 save percentage over that extended stretch.
“It’s going to be hard to go away from Sway. He played a terrific game,” Montgomery said on Saturday night. “But if we decide to go with Ullmark we’re comfortable with it and our team is comfortable with it. It doesn’t affect us in the room, whoever starts next game.”
Regardless of who Boston opts for in net on Monday, the Bruins will hold a clear advantage in net against their Original Six foe — especially when contrasted with the Leafs’ current goalie duo of Ilya Samosnov and Joseph Woll.
“They’ve been everything for us, really since they started here together,” Charlie McAvoy said of Ullmark and Swayman. “I think that’s the best way to say it. It’s a luxury. You have complete faith and trust in whoever’s in the net that they’re gonna play awesome. And they’re gonna backstop us and put out fires and that’s what they both do.”
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