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Boston Bruins: 4 Keys to the Final Nine Games

By Scott Roche

Apr 1, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand (63) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Kathryn Riley-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand (63) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Kathryn Riley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 15, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukk Rask (40) deflects the puck in the corner during the first period against the New York Islanders at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukk Rask (40) deflects the puck in the corner during the first period against the New York Islanders at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Goaltending

Tuukka Rask recently returned from a back injury that caused him to miss nearly six weeks and he appears good to go for the stretch run. Coach Bruce Cassidy will not play him in back-to-back games on back-to-back days, but there is really no need to with the way rookie Jeremy Swayman is playing.

Swayman is making his case to be the goalie of the future by winning five of his first seven starts. He has a goals-against-average (GAA) of 1.56 with a save percentage (SV%) of .946 and he has one shutout.

Swayman appears NHL ready. He is aggressive in the net, does a nice job of challenging shots and cutting down opponents’ angels, while not afraid to stare down a shooter on a breakaway in a game or in a shootout.

Rask’s backup the last three years, Jaroslav Halak, recently returned from the league’s COVID-19 protocols list and played in the third period of Friday’s 6-4 loss to the Sabres, where he gave up one goal on five shots in relief of Rask.

As it always is, goaltending will be key down the stretch for the Bruins. Whether it’s Rask, Swayman, or Halak, the Black and Gold will need a strong performance just about every night.

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