By: Ellie Man | Follow me on Twitter/X @ellieyym
Jeremy Swayman has been a standout player for the Boston Bruins all season, serving as the team’s number one goaltender and the backbone of their defensive efforts.
The 2024-25 season was a challenging one for Swayman. He struggled with consistency, resulting in much criticism and doubt towards his long-term eight-year contract. His record hit a career low since being selected by the Bruins in the 2017 National Hockey League Entry Draft, with a 3.11 goals against average and .892 save percentage. But the 2025-26 season has already seen the goalie rebound impressively, regaining his stride and marking eight more wins despite starting nine fewer games than the previous season.
The Bruins, for their part, have proven shaky on the defensive front across the course of this season, giving away control of the puck and offering dangerous chances for opponents to score. But the 6’3”, 195-pound goalie has had a stellar season, recording 30 wins in regulation, a 2.73 goals against average, a .908 save percentage, and one shutout. Not to mention bringing home gold at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
Reliance on Swayman’s stability and composure in net has been a constant throughout the season, keeping the Bruins in contention for the playoffs even when defensive blunders have been made. In their last game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Swayman made some big saves for the team as they fought their way back from a three-goal deficit. The goalie stood firm under pressure, stabilizing momentum and preventing further damage before holding his own in overtime to secure the victory.
While praising key contributors in a post-game press conference, Coach Marco Sturm commented simply, “Sway saved us big time.” This statement has rung true repeatedly this season, quietly lifting Swayman into the conversation for the coveted Vezina Trophy.
The Vezina Trophy – awarded “to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at this position” and voted by the general managers of all National Hockey League teams – is now within reach if Swayman can maintain his current form. While New York Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin and Tampa Bay Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy remain the frontrunners, the Bruins’ goalie is not to be overlooked. Though Sorokin (2.59 GAA, .910 SV%) and Vasilevskiy (2.32 GAA, .912 SV%) boast slightly better figures, both benefit from playing with stronger defensive units.
The Bruins rank 30th on shots allowed per game, with an average of 29.83. In comparison, the Islanders are 22nd with 28.11, and the Lightning are 14th with 26.86. This leaky defense has put extra pressure on Swayman, forcing him to face 1,456 shots this season and come in clutch to prevent game-changing goals. As a result, the Alaska-born goalie has kept the Bruins competitive, making 1,322 saves to spearhead the team’s continued push toward the playoffs. Notably, he also holds a .909 shootout save percentage, with 20 saves tallied so far.
As with the Eastern Conference standings, the race for the Vezina Trophy remains up for grabs. With Swayman firmly in the spotlight and Joonas Korpisalo providing reliable backup, the Bruins are solidifying their status as serious playoff contenders. If the team can continue their Stanley Cup bid and Swayman can maintain his form in net, voters will face a tough decision determining which goalie has had the most impact this season and who deserves to claim the Vezina.
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