Bruins Game-Breaker: Jeremy Swayman the difference in Game 3
The Boston Bruins played better on offense, defense, and special teams in Game 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the biggest difference for them came in goal with Jeremy Swayman.
The 25-year-old was sharp for the second time in the series, shepherding the Bruins to a 4-2 win in Game 3 with a 28-of-30 performance (.933) against the high-powered Maple Leafs. Toronto needed an odd-man rush against a gassed defense, and some puck luck off a Bruin and in, to solve Swayman in this one.
Leafs netminder Ilya Samsonov, meanwhile, allowed three goals on 33 shots (.909). The talent disparity in net glared the brightest during a notable sequence in the third period, when the teams traded power plays, and only the Bruins cashed in.
Faced with chances to make big point-blank saves on the penalty kill, Swayman made one, and Samsonov did not. In fact, Swayman made two, which at the time kept the Bruins clinging to a 2-1 lead.
A couple of huge stops from Swayman. pic.twitter.com/HXmhDEsbsn
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) April 25, 2024
Shortly before that, Jake DeBrusk gave the Bruins their first lead of the game when he corralled a rebound and fired it past Samsonov at the doorstep.
Granted, that was far from an easy play for Samsonov to make. But the Bruins’ other two scores on him were. Trent Frederic straight-up beat him short-side from 20-plus feet out, while Brad Marchand sniped him over his glove-side shoulder. Swayman made no such blunders.
JAKE DEBRUSK GIVES THE BRUINS THE LEAD 🐻 pic.twitter.com/ynP1Qgm7vB
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 25, 2024
Jake DeBrusk scores his third power-play goal of the series.
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) April 25, 2024
2-1 Bruins. pic.twitter.com/OQarjdIxZI
The Bruins benefitted from a higher volume of shots, out-shooting the Maple Leafs (34-30) for the first time in the series. It’s clear, at this point, that it’s worth testing Samsonov as much as possible, because he’s obviously the inferior goaltender.
And at the other end, Swayman’s big saves, rebound control, and freezes have all been both impressive and timely. He’s made it a legitimate conversation for Jim Montgomery and the Bruins, whether to keep him in goal for Game 4 and possibly beyond. We know what he would like to happen.
“For me personally, I don’t want rest, I just want to keep playing,” Swayman said after the game. “I think no matter when I get the call, whether it’s back-to-back or every other game, I want to make sure my body’s ready, and I’m ready to perform at my best.”
The Bruins made a few lineup adjustments ahead of Game 3, in part out of necessity due to injuries on defense. They did a better job generating chances on offense and suppressing the Leafs on defense, as a result. But if it all comes out a wash in front of the two goaltenders, the B’s have a significant advantage at the last line of defense.
Only question for Swayman, now, is how soon he plays again.
Get complete Boston Bruins coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Check out all of Matt’s content.