Boston Bruins: Jeremy Swayman is off to a solid start

Expectations were high for Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman entering the 2021-2022 season.

The Anchorage native made his NHL debut last season as he dazzled with the Bruins battling injuries. In Boston’s first 13 games of the season, he has built on his success. While the season is far from over, the former 111th overall pick is showing why he is an important piece.

Through seven starts this season, Swayman has posted a 5-2-0 record. The 22-year-old has faced 175 shots and only allowed 15 goals. Although Swayman and Linus Ullmark have split playing time, Swayman has started the Bruins past two games, which were back-to-back. As the Bruins won both games, the former fourth round pick has only allowed four goals.

Additionally, the Bruins netminder has posted a .914 save percentage through the season’s first two months. Although the Bruins have been inconsistent at times, Swayman has only allowed more than two goals in a game once. During his impressive start, the University of Maine product has also joined special company.

Jeremy Swayman has yet to lose at game at home for the Bruins

Following Sunday’s game, Swayman has won his first eight games at TD Garden. That is the third-longest streak by a goaltender to begin their Bruins career. He also became the fourth goalie in NHL history to start their NHL career with a win of each of his first eight games at home. That list includes Gord McRae, Ilya Sorokin, and Michel Plasse.

While Swayman has excelled at home, he has been a different player of late. After allowing a season-high five goals on Oct. 20, he has posted a 1.81 goals-against average in his last five starts. The Bruins have gone 4-1 with him in net in that span, with their latest win coming against the Montreal Canadiens.

His recent play has stood out to head coach Bruce Cassidy. When asked about Swayman following Saturday’s win, this is what Cassidy said.

“All in all, his game has been pretty good. One game in Philly (against the Flyers), a bunch went in. … He needed more starts to get his numbers down. … All in all, he’s been a very good goaltender for us. It’s a good competition, and right now, he’s a little bit ahead. … that needle has swung both ways.”

Although Boston’s next game isn’t until Saturday, they have shown some encouraging signs of late. The secondary scoring has started to come out of hibernation, and Swayman is taking control in net. Those are developments that will be key to the Bruins success.

While is still plenty of hockey left, Swayman is showing why the future in Boston is bright with him starting in goal.