By: Chad Jones | Follow me on Twitter/X @ShutUpChadJones
Coming into this season, no Bruin was in more dire need of a bounce-back year than Jeremy Swayman. After missing the entirety of training and then signing an eight-year deal worth $64 million, the Bruins’ goaltender struggled between the pipes during the 2024-2025 campaign.
With Linus Ullmark now with the Ottawa Senators, Swayman took on an even greater workload. But unfortunately for Boston, Swayman struggled throughout the year, posting career lows with a 3.11 goals-against average and a save percentage of .892.
But now, over a quarter of the way through this season, the Bruins’ number one netminder appears to have put that down year behind him. Swyman has started 17 of Boston’s 27 games and has picked up 11 wins with a goals against average of 2.62 and a .915 save percentage.
And during this past month, he was dynamite. After the Bruins put forth a horrendous effort in Ottawa on October 27th, when Swayman and the Bruins allowed seven goals in a loss, Boston flipped a switch. And Swayman has been a massive reason for the positive change.
During the ten games Swayman started in November following the 7-2 loss to the Senators, the Bruins’ goaltender was in the zone. Boston went 8-2-0 during those games in which Swayman started between the pipes, and he never allowed more than three goals against in any of them.
He was sturdy and structurally sound, but also made athletic, sprawling saves when necessary. Swayman also made big-time stops when the Bruins relied on him, in third periods, on the penalty kills, and during extra sessions. Boston needed him to be elite during these close games, especially with the Bruins dealing with injuries to multiple key players.
In his most recent start, a 3-2 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings, Swayman was sensational. He stopped 24 of 26 shots in regulation and stymied Detroit on all three of their shootout attempts. After securing the victory in front of a delighted TD Garden crowd, Swayman offered some fascinating insight into his headspace this season.
“I couldn’t be happier to be a Bruin,” Swayman told the media after Boston’s 3-2 win. “Couldn’t be happier to be a part of this team, playing in this league. And that gratitude really overwhelms me. I like to play with that gratitude and that happiness. Good things happen.”
With quotes like that and his play of late, Swayman seems to be in a much better state of mind than last year. And that is an excellent sign for the Bruins, considering how mentally challenging the job of a starting NHL goaltender can be.
For the Bruins to have a successful season, Swayman will need to be physically and mentally at the top of his game. And so far this year, he is delivering for Boston.
The Bruins will take on the Red Wings in Detroit tonight before returning home for matchups with the St. Louis Blues and New Jersey Devils later this week. If you want to see the Bruins in person at TD Garden or on the road, consider using this official StubHub Ticket-affiliated link here for the most competitive concert and sporting event tickets in the North American region.
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