After a disappointing Game 1, Boston Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy cleared up any confusion on who may start in net for Game 2. Despite the 5-1 loss, the Bruins will stick with Linus Ullmark over rookie Jeremy Swayman against the Carolina Hurricanes.
#NHLBruins updates per Coach Cassidy:
▪️ Linus Ullmark will start Game 2
▪️ Hampus Lindholm will play with Brandon Carlo
▪️ Matt Grzelcyk will pair with Charlie McAvoy pic.twitter.com/ifTyTagXEK— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 3, 2022
Swayman was speculated to perhaps start Game 2 due to Ullmark's struggles as the Bruins went down 1-0 in the series. Ullmark struggled in Monday's contest, as he allowed four goals. He saved 20 of the Panthers' 24 shot attempts (.833 save percentage).
The two Bruins goalies have very similar numbers in 2022, as each have started 39 games for the Bruins. In Swayman's games behind the net, the Bruins went 23-14-3. He also had a save percentage of .914 on the season and had three shutouts. The Bruins fared just a little bit better under Ullmark, as they went 26-10-2 when he played. The Swedish goalie had a save rate of .917 to go along with just one shutout.
Cassidy also revealed some of the team's defensive pairings for Game 2 against the Hurricanes. Veteran Hampus Lindholm will pair up with Brandon Carlo. Additionally, Matt Grzelcyk will play with Charlie McAvoy, as those two have now spent five years together in Boston. Grzelcyk was a team-worst -3 in the plus/minus department in Game 1.
If the Bruins go down 2-0, don't at all surprised to see Swayman in net for Game 3. Ullmark will first get a chance to redeem himself though, as he's been a steady presence all season long. The NHL postseason has just begun, and the Bruins-Hurricanes series should be a good one.
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