By: Andrew Patten | Follow me on Twitter/X @a_patten11
When the Boston Bruins traded goaltender Joonas Korpisalo to the New York Rangers in July, it opened the door for the American Hockey League’s 2025-26 Most Valuable Player, Michael DiPietro, to slide in as Jeremy Swayman’s backup. As the Bruins navigate an intense opening month of the regular season, coaching staff mindset and goaltending rotation strategy take center stage. While Swayman firmly anchors the net as Boston’s primary starter, managing workload across a grueling 84-game campaign demands calculated relief.
DiPietro made his first start of the 2026-27 National Hockey League season last Saturday in Minnesota, in the second game of a back-to-back, stopping 26 of 29 shots in a 4-1 loss to the Wild. Although he didn’t get the win, he highlighted his lateral quickness and superb puck tracking, making him the AHL’s best goalie over the past two seasons.
To leverage his strengths and give him reps at the NHL level without compromising Swayman’s starting rhythm, Boston must look strategically at schedule density, travel, and opponent profiles. Here are three ideal games remaining in October where giving Michael DiPietro the start makes tactical sense.
1. October 10th vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Early-afternoon 1:00 PM starts often feature unique game rhythms and unpredictable opening periods. Facing an Eastern Conference opponent like Philadelphia at home offers DiPietro a controlled, low-travel environment to make his first regular-season start at TD Garden. Giving DiPietro the nod on Saturday also keeps Swayman fresh for the Bruins’ upcoming road swing through California and Texas, while giving DiPietro valuable NHL action against a heavy, physical, forechecking Flyers lineup hungry to earn their first win of the season.
DiPietro also has some familiarity with Philadelphia, as he got the nod in Boston’s preseason matchup with the Flyers on Broad Street in late September. While the game didn’t count in the standings, the Flyers rolled out a lineup that night with plenty of NHL talent. DiPietro looked sharp, making 26 saves in a 2-0 loss. Facing them before could give the young netminder a leg up, knowing the shooters’ tendencies and how the Flyers like to play in their offensive zone.
2. October 17th at Los Angeles Kings
The clearest spot to deploy DiPietro comes during Boston’s road trip out West. On Friday, October 16, the Bruins will battle the Anaheim Ducks before traveling up the coast to face the Los Angeles Kings less than 24 hours later, on Saturday, October 17. Back-to-back scenarios remain the classic split point for modern goaltending duos. Running any starter out on consecutive nights substantially increases fatigue and performance volatility.
Stepping into Crypto.com Arena after the team played in Anaheim the previous evening is a classic heavy-workload scenario for defensemen. During his time in Providence and in his last start against the Wild, DiPietro showed he excels in high-energy, scramble-heavy conditions where his low-crease agility can bail out a tired blue line. Handing DiPietro the start in Los Angeles grants Swayman much-needed rest and gives Boston an energetic crease presence to finish off the back-to-back sequence.
3. October 29th at St. Louis Blues
In late October, the Bruins will embark on a quick road trip, facing the Carolina Hurricanes (Oct 27th) and the St. Louis Blues (Oct 29th), before returning home for an afternoon game on Halloween (Oct 31st) against the Chicago Blackhawks.
A road trip to Enterprise Center to face St. Louis sits between a high-intensity battle in Raleigh against Carolina and a quick-turnaround home matinee against Chicago. St. Louis plays a physical, cycle-heavy game that tests a goalie’s rebound control and puck management under pressure. Slotting DiPietro in for the St. Louis contest would keep Swayman from making three starts in five days across three cities, ensuring the crease remains well managed heading into November.
Sustained organizational success depends on maintaining starting goaltender health and building confidence in backup depth. Giving Michael DiPietro these three specific starts in October—the Philadelphia matinee, the back-to-back in Los Angeles, and the mid-trip contest in St. Louis—establishes a balanced, intelligent rotation. It protects Swayman from heavy early-season fatigue while positioning DiPietro to step up and deliver key points for the Bruins.
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