Who Should Be the Bruins Starter for the Playoffs?
In the NHL, the Bruins boast the top goaltending pair, and even with Ullmark's Vezina-worthy season, is it possible for Swayman to compete for the starting position?
Throughout this season, Linus Ullmark has been a reliable force for Boston and, as previously noted, leads the race for the Vezina Trophy. Jeremy Swayman encountered early criticism due to a slow beginning, but his recent impressive performance has placed him alongside his teammate at the league's pinnacle.
Is Swayman a Contender for the Starting Role in the Playoffs?
In a recent episode of Bruins Beat, Conor Ryan from Boston.com and Evan Marinofsky from the New England Hockey Journal explored this subject. Ryan elaborates on how the starting role is unmistakably Ullmark's to lose:
Since January 1st, Swayman (1.88 GAA, .936 SV%) and Ullmark (1.95 GAA, .936 SV%) rank second and third in the entire NHL for those statistics. They trail only Filip Gustavsson of the Minnesota Wild, who boasts a 1.78 GAA and a .941 SV%. (Swayman leads all goalies with four shutouts during this period).
While the conventional hockey wisdom suggests that teams rely on a single goaltender during the postseason, the Bruins present a strong argument for alternating between both players.
Boston Globe's Matt Porter recently reported that Jim Montgomery would not completely dismiss the idea:
Limited Experience Between the Pipes
Ty Anderson from 98.5 The Sports Hub recently discussed with Mike Felger on NBC that the primary worry for Boston's goaltenders is their limited playoff experience.
Per Anderson:
Explore further details from Anderson's discussion in the video below. The journalist recounts a fascinating anecdote about what Buffalo locals cautioned him about Ullmark upon his initial signing with Boston.
The recent performance of both players presents a "positive" dilemma for the Bruins. Regardless of Montgomery's choice, either option will provide the team with an opportunity to succeed.
What do you think?
As read on Bruins Insider - How Should the Bruins Manage Their Goalies for the Playoffs?
| POLL | ||
27 MARS | 201 ANSWERS Who Should Be the Bruins Starter for the Playoffs? Who would you start game one of the playoffs? | ||
| Jeremy Swayman | 18 | 9 % |
| Linus Ullmark | 183 | 91 % |
| List of polls | ||
