By: Ellie Man | Follow me on Twitter/X @ellieyym
The Boston Bruins are no stranger to a good goaltender. They’ve recently boasted Tuukka Rask and Linus Ullmark, and are keeping competitive with the pairing of Jeremy Swayman and Michael DiPietro. With such a strong history of skill, goaltending has become an important part of the Bruins’ identity and a position in which Boston continues to excel.
The organization’s goalie development program is just as impressive as its string of talented past icons; in fact, it’s causing the pleasant problem of a bottleneck. Plenty of strong goaltenders have been nurtured by the Bruins, but moved on to other opportunities and secured more prominent roles, also having to take into account the lower trade value of the position. This includes the likes of Philadelphia Flyers’ Dan Vladar and Carolina Hurricanes’ Brandon Bussi, who helped the team be crowned the Stanley Cup Champions last season.
Now, the Bruins are counting on Swayman and DiPietro. Swayman was acquired by Boston in 2017, selected 111th overall in the National Hockey League entry draft. Since then, the Alaska-born goalie has played seven seasons in black-and-gold and become a key part of the organization. He’s not only a reliable presence in the net, but a trusted voice in the locker room that brings valuable leadership and experience. His familiarity with the team, its aims and its expectations also makes him a significant figure as the Bruins continue to build towards future success.
Of the 15 games played so far this season, Swayman has started a hefty 11, and he has proven that he remains solid. He holds a record of 7-3-1, with a 2.35 GAA and .912 SV%. He also notched an early shutout taking on the New York Rangers, making 24 saves during the game. With these figures behind him, Swayman currently ranks tenth on NHL.com.
DiPietro is making his first full stint with the Bruins, having previously been substituted in as a back-up while Joonas Korpisalo underwent evaluation for a potential concussion. He’s played the remaining four games of the 2026-27 campaign, posting a record of 3-1. This has allowed him to demonstrate that he can contribute beyond simply providing cover, giving the Bruins another option to rely upon.
The Ontario native achieved his first career shutout against the Nashville Predators, making 28 saves for a 6-0 game. Having shown his potential, he’s seeing more time on ice and is gaining greater confidence with the added experience. This includes the latest comeback win against the Chicago Blackhawks, where he made 37 saves. With fewer games played but an impressive show in the crease, DiPietro boasts a ranking of ninth on NHL.com. Notably, the Bruins are the only team with both of their goalies in the top ten.
This exemplary goaltending is a strength that the Bruins have in their favor and have come to depend upon. The team have found themselves victims of their own inconsistencies, such as slow offensive starts or risky turnovers, but time and time again, their goaltenders have risen to the occasion to bail them out. With a dependable veteran core and emerging young talent, Swayman and DiPietro look set to play a pivotal role in the team’s future, providing a strong foundation for Boston to build on.
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