Jeremy Swayman needs to continue to project calmness, confidence for Bruins
Jeremy Swayman has a refreshing calmness about him.
The Boston Bruins’ lead goaltender against the Toronto Maple Leafs seemed to be the only human being in TD Garden on Tuesday night that had anything under control. The guys in front of him skated with a nervous energy. The officials struggled to maintain order. The fans got restless. Skaters couldn’t complete a clean breakout. NESN couldn’t complete a clean broadcast.
But at the last line, Swayman stood tall and stoic, except for the times he grinned like a maniac. He’s the right kind of crazy for this time of year. Nerves of steel under an unassuming exterior. And the sole reason a Game 5 loss didn’t get out of hand well before overtime.
![BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 30: Jeremy Swayman #1 of the Boston Bruins looks to referee Kyle Rehman as members of the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs collide in front of the goal during the second period of Game Five of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 30, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2024/05/Bruins-Leafs-chaos-Game-5-2024.jpg)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 30: Jeremy Swayman #1 of the Boston Bruins looks to referee Kyle Rehman as members of the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs collide in front of the goal during the second period of Game 5 of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 30, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Since the Bruins’ forwards and defensemen haven’t done much to inspire confidence that the pressure of a closeout opportunity won’t affect them, it’s incumbent upon their netminder to project a much-needed serenity. He’s already shown some in the wake of a disappointing Game 5 defeat.
“We know that we’re going to respond,” Swayman blunted to reporters in the locker room.
Chances are, they will respond well in Toronto. They’ve played markedly better hockey overall in the two games at Scotiabank Arena, than the three at TD Garden. So, there’s hope that the Bruins can rebound from an ugly one (except for the goaltending) and again play the near-perfect hockey that was on display in Game 4.
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But the longer this series goes, the bigger the moment gets, the tighter fear’s grip. Swayman has shown an ability to resist that grip, and only tighten his on the goaltending job in the series. He stabilizes, he alleviates. Both on and off the ice. And if the Bruins finish the job and avoid another stunning collapse, it’ll likely be on his shoulders.
Fortunately, Swayman looks and sounds prepared for that weight.
“It’s Boston Bruins hockey, and that alone is what can motivate all of us, and especially me,” Swayman said. “I understand what I’m representing, the magnitude of what the spoked ‘B’ represents, and I’m proud to wear it. That’s what’s gonna help me and my teammates get the job done.”
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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.