Going into the 2022-23 season, the Boston Bruins looked strong in the net as long as Jeremy Swaiman and Linus Allmark can continue their strong 2021-22 season. It’s safe to say they did.
They were the top goaltending duo in the NHL, but as the season went on Allmark established themselves as No. 1, but few teams had a backup as good as Swaiman. They formed an instant connection and root for each other. They combined to win the William M. Jennings Trophy and helped the Lions and Golds set an NHL record for wins in regular season and points. Swaiman didn’t play like Allmark, however, as he proved to everyone that once he was ready, the solution would be in Boston’s sights for the long haul.
Swayman has been improved in 2022-23
Olemark grabbed the curl, won 41 league games and is the leader to win the Vezina Trophy later this month at the NHL Awards in Nashville. Swaiman was just as good, but an injury in early November paved the way for Ollmark to get the number one spot among the pipes.
Against the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 1, Swaiman came in relief of Allmark in the second period after a teammate allowed five goals over a period and a half. The mission was short-lived Swaiman was injured When Patrice Bergeron slid into him, forcing him to leave the match and reinstate Allmark. The Bruins rallied to win the game 6-5 in overtime on a goal by Hambus Lindholm, but an injury forced the former University of Maine star to miss a chance. A month with a lower body injury.
After his return, it took Swaiman some time to get back on top of his game, but he did and finished the regular season with a 24-6-4 record with a 2.27 goals against average (GAA) and a . 901 save percentage. (SV%). He had a career-high 41 tackle on the road against the Seattle Kraken in a 6-5 win on February 23. He had a pair of 37 tackle performance in wins over the Carolina Hurricanes (March 26) and the Philadelphia Flyers (April 9). In two and a half seasons, he was 54-23-7 with a 2.24 GAA and 0.920 SV%.
Swaiman has only played in one playoff game
It was clear Allmark wasn’t quite right during the first round against the Florida Panthers, but Coach Jim Montgomery stuck with the loudest player. All season, he rotated Allmark and Swaeman, but when the former Buffalo Sabers goaltender struggled, he stuck with him and reached a sticking point after losing 7-5 of Game 6 in Florida. Montgomery decided to switch to Swayman for Game 7.
Related: Boston Bruins 2022-23 Player Scores: Derek Forport
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In his first action in two and a half weeks, Swaiman played well, but was outplayed by Sergei Bobrovsky. Brandon Montour scored a first-half goal that Swaeman would have liked to win back, but he kept his side in the game despite a 2-0 deficit in the second period. The Bruins took the lead early in the third period and were within a minute of the lead when Montour scored again, this time on a deflected shot to force overtime. Carter Verhaje finished Boston’s season in historic fashion, by defeating Swaiman in overtime for a 4-3 win. The Panthers finished with 32 shots on the net, 28 of which were returned by Swaiman, and it makes you wonder with the Black and Gold leading 3-1 in the series, what could have happened if Montgomery had decided to go no? 2. Former Series GK, would it have made a difference?
Bringing Sweeman back is a priority for Sweeney
Swaiman is one of a handful of free agents this summer, but he’s a restricted free agent (RFA) and it’ll be interesting to see how GM Don Sweeney handles this contract. The Bruins have very little cover space and signing him long term eats up a huge chunk of what they can do in the future. The best move might be to have him take a one-year deal, and then next summer, when the Bruins have more room, lock him out for the long term.
Of course, there’s always the possibility that Sweeney could trade Ullmark and his $5 million average annual value (AAV), but that would be surprising considering how well they play together, but anything off-season comes into play after the first disappointment. – Exit tour to Cheetahs. Regardless, it is clear that Swaiman, Pick #111 overall In the fourth round of the 2017 Entry Draft, he is Boston’s future net guard.
Grade: a