By: Ellie Man | Follow me on Twitter/X @ellieyym
With the Boston Bruins taking on the New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets, and Minnesota Wild in the first week of the 2026-27 season, they officially have two wins under their belt. Despite their most recent loss, the Bruins have a positive start to build upon and are looking to get back in the win column.
Jeremy Swayman took to the net for the first two games, helping the Bruins secure victories in both. The new campaign marks his seventh year with the team, having been drafted 111th overall by the organization in the 2017 National Hockey League Entry Draft.
The Bruins are no strangers to developing their goaltenders and have been remarkably successful at doing so – but the organization has bet big on Swayman, and he is therefore determined to deliver. The Alaskan-born goalie has remained a steady presence, even through a revolving door of teammates that includes Tuukka Rask, Ottawa Senators’ Linus Ullmark and New York Rangers’ Joonas Korpisalo. He is currently supported by secondary goaltender Michael DiPietro, who earned his opportunity after dominating in Providence.
Taking on the Rangers for the season’s opener saw Korpisalo back at TD Garden; however, he started in backup for Igor Shesterkin. The game was a slow affair for the first two periods as neither side were able to find the back of the net, but the Bruins finally broke through in the third. Fraser Minten sparked the scoring charge and was swiftly followed by JJ Peterka and Mark Kastelic just over a minute later. Swayman made 24 saves, earning a shutout in the team’s first victory. This was the Bruins’ fifth season-opening shutout, and their first since 1979.
Later, speaking about the game, Swayman praised the team’s patience while playing, which had ultimately opened up the chances for better scoring opportunities. The 27-year-old also commented, “[Shesterkin]’s a world-class goalie and it’s fun to go back and forth with a goalie like that. It feels like we both had just grade A after grade A. It wasn’t a ton of volume of shots, but just the way that we compete, I wanna start clapping my stick. It’s just fun watching that – keeps you in the game and makes the game fun.”
Following this win, the Bruins took to the road where last year they faced considerable struggle. Once again, the Bruins were tested away from home as they went up against the Winnipeg Jets, but the team finally came out on top in overtime. Peterka scored the game-winning goal, further proving his place in Boston’s lineup as he continues to impress. Swayman made 30 saves in total, with the Jets posting 33 shots on goal against the Bruins’ 30.
These efforts prove just how reliable Swayman is to the Bruins, often taking on the burden of the team’s defensive lapses. The 6’3”, 196-pound goaltender continues to prove himself as one of Boston’s most dependable players and has further established himself as a leader in the crease. Kyle Chauvette – the Bruins’ newly named Emergency Backup Goaltender – has also recently stated, “He’s one of the best, if not the best, goalie in the world, in my opinion. To get to pick his brain is awesome. He has been super nice to me, has brought me in and made me feel like I’m part of the group. To get to interact with him, whether it’s postgame, post-practice – it’s been very helpful.”
With Swayman continuing to establish himself as a cornerstone of the Bruins, he will play a crucial role in the team’s pursuit of success. The 2026-27 season has just begun, and the Alaskan-born goalie has already shown why he has become a key piece of Boston’s core. His consistent performance will not only provide confidence to the players on the ice in front of him, but also benefit the Bruins between the pipes.
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