Jeremy Swayman getting back on track in net with tighter defense in front of him
Swayman made 19 stops and held Detroit to one goal in Saturday's win.
Joe Sacco was faced with his first big decision as Bruins interim coach on Saturday: ride the hot hand in net, Joonas Korpisalo, or turn the keys back over to Jeremy Swayman, whose struggles individually have mirrored Boston’s overall group so far this season.
Ultimately, Sacco went back to Swayman, citing one key reason for the switch pregame.
“If we’re better defensively in front of him, like we were last game for [Korpisalo], it’s going to make his job easier.”
The results on Saturday were exactly as intended.
Swayman wasn’t tasked to do very much; Boston’s defense in front of him only allowed 20 shots to get through all night long. But, when called upon, Swayman made the saves he needed to, in a game that he needed as a confidence booster.
“I just want to do my job one save at a time,” Swayman said after the win. “Get good reads, and put myself in position to make the first save, and a chance to make the second save as well.”
Swayman was also asked if the defense has felt more cohesive lately.
“It does. And you can tell it’s gained a lot of momentum for us,” Swayman said. “And we’re taking steps in the right direction every day.”
Swayman entered Saturday’s game allowing 3.47 goals per contest and boasting an .884 save percentage, the lowest mark of his young NHL career by a significant margin. But, Saturday’s win was a step in the right direction for one of the NHL’s highest-paid goaltenders.
“I’m happy for his response tonight,” Sacco said postgame. “I’m sure that he’s starting to feel better about himself, and it’s only a matter of time before [Swayman] starts to find his groove consistently.”
Boston will need Swayman at his best to help steer the ship back in the right direction.
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