The Boston Bruins have arguably the best goaltending tandem in the NHL. Linus Ullmark is the defending Vezina trophy winner. Also, Jeremy Swayman was a big factor in the pair winning last season’s William M. Jennings Trophy.
The two are a lethal one-two punch in the cage, and through two games this season, they’ve allowed a combined three goals and are 2-0. Ullmark played the bulk of the games last year, but Swayman got a heavier load than the standard backup. Could we see the two alternate starts throughout the 2023-24 campaign?
Last Two Seasons
This is the third season that Ullmark and Swayman have been a goaltending tandem together. The workload of the two has been very similar which has worked well. Ullmark has appeared in 90 games in the last two seasons, and Swayman 78. The team had a total of 133 wins between the two netminders, and it’s clear they play the same in front of whoever is in the net.
The individual numbers are impressive as well for each goalie. Ullmark has posted a combined 2.13 GAA and a .929 SV% in his time with Boston, and Swayman has a 2.24 GAA and a .920 SV%. Over the last two seasons, both guys have given the Bruins a very good chance to win games night in and out, so giving each of them as many opportunities as possible makes sense. So, a platoon is a no-brainer for head coach Jim Montgomery.
Benefits of Boston Alternating Goalies
Swayman is now in his third full season with the team and getting closer to his prime so giving him more starts between the pipes makes the most sense. Ullmark is coming off winning his first Vezina trophy, but he’s another year older and has never started more than 48 games in an NHL season. Boston alternating the two goalies as much as possible just seems like it makes the most sense and is the best thing for the team.
An 82-game season is long and gruelling, and keeping your players as fresh as possible is important. Alternating the two not only keeps them fresh, but it benefits the team as you’re guaranteed to have a fresh goalie in net every game. Another good reason for the alternating strategy is what we saw at the end of last season. Ullmark was noticeably fatigued, ended up tweaking his hip going into the playoffs, and clearly wasn’t the same. That could be avoided by rotating both net minders throughout the season.
Healthy Competition
If you follow the Bruins, you’ve undoubtedly seen the goalie hug after the team wins. Swayman and Ullmark have built a very strong bond with each other since the two have shared the crease in Boston. The teammates have gotten so close that they have gone as far as having each other’s families over regularly.
Goalie hug 💛 pic.twitter.com/timelhnOrS
— Bruins Brasil 🇧🇷 (@Bruins_Brasil) October 15, 2023
The camaraderie between the two goalies is something that is rarely seen at the position, but their relationship clearly benefits the Bruins, as the numbers have proven. This is the healthiest form of competition in the sport, and the team should take advantage of it. We’re only two games in but look for this to be a part of Boston’s strategy throughout the season.
Main Photo Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
