Bruins might have to face tough decision about goalie rotation

Marco Sturm was candid on Saturday when requested of the choice to roll with Jeremy Swayman for a fourth consecutive begin. 

“It was an enormous sport for us, and we thought he would give us the very best probability,” Sturm said after Boston’s shootout loss to the Canucks.

It’s laborious to argue with the Bruins’ head coach’s logic. 

On a Bruins staff that has largely exceeded expectations by means of the primary few months of the 2025-26 season, it’s unimaginable to miss the play of Swayman in internet.

Boston’s underwhelming defensive metrics haven’t been totally uncovered with Swayman standing because the Bruins’ final line of protection. 

The 27-year-old goalie’s .906 save proportion this 12 months could not steal many headlines, however his 16.5 targets saved above anticipated (fourth amongst 83 certified goalies this 12 months, per MoneyPuck) paints the image of a top-flight netminder who’s maintaining a floundering defensive staff afloat.

A minimum of, such is the hope with regards to the Bruins’ knack for counting on Swayman to bail them out — evening in and evening out.

Sturm is correct that Swayman does give the Bruins the “greatest probability” every time he’s referred to as upon for a begin.

However overtaxing the Bruins’ prime possibility in internet stands as the simplest method for the Bruins’ promising returns this fall to utterly splinter after the vacations. 

Barring any surprises, Swayman will as soon as once more get the decision on Tuesday towards the Canadiens — an Authentic Six showdown that David Pastrnak already deemed a “must-win” after Boston dropped 4 out of its final 5 video games.

A stout exhibiting from Swayman can be a welcome sight for the Bruins with regards to stopping the bleeding and giving his membership some good tidings forward of a three-day break for the vacations.

However Tuesday would additionally characterize the sixth time that Swayman could have performed within the final 10 days — an unsustainable workload for even the sturdiest goalies in at present’s NHL.

The Bruins can sick afford to burn one in every of their most dear asset earlier than the calendar even flips to 2026. 

However such is the hand dealt to Sturm and a Bruins staff that’s seemingly reaching an inflection level with regards to the staff’s present goaltending rotation between Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo.

The second-gusses that introduced themselves when Sturm opted to roll with Swayman for four-straight video games on Saturday had been magnified the next evening. 

Slightly than save Swayman for a vital bout towards a divisional foe in Ottawa on Sunday, Boston turned to Korpisalo in hopes of righting the ship towards the Senators.

Or, on the very least, give Swayman a much-deserved respite forward of Tuesday’s residence sport towards the Habs. 

As an alternative, neither state of affairs performed out for Boston. 

Korpisalo was finally pulled within the second interval of Sunday’s 6-2 drubbing by the hands of Ottawa, with Sturm pressured to place Swayman again in internet as soon as once more. 

“I didn’t actually wish to do this,” Sturm said after Sunday’s loss. “Korpi tried the whole lot he probably might, we simply left him hanging somewhat bit. That’s simply the best way it’s generally.”

Korpisalo obtained the hook after surrendering 5 targets on 17 photographs, with the veteran now sporting an .880 save proportion by means of 14 appearances. 

“You by no means wish to get pulled,” he noted postgame.  “Doesn’t matter what occurs. In the present day was a kind of days. And clearly I’m not blissful about how I performed. You play effectively, I don’t assume you get pulled.” 

The case might be made that Korpisalo hasn’t been aided by a Bruins protection that ranks useless final within the NHL with 2.92 anticipated targets towards per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play (per Natural Stat Trick). 

And after expressing a desire for more playing time in 2025-26, Korpisalo’s final begin previous to Sunday’s sport got here all the best way again on Dec. 11 towards the Jets. 

It’s hardly a great state of affairs for Korpisalo. 

However it additionally paints the image of a Bruins goaltending state of affairs the place far an excessive amount of is being placed on Swayman’s shoulders — and little belief has been displayed by Boston’s teaching workers so far as prescribing heavier reps for a backup counting $3 million towards the cap. 

Even with an encouraging stretch earlier this month the place Korpisalo sported a .926 save proportion throughout back-to-back wins over the Blues and Jets, the 31-year-old’s general numbers have left quite a bit to be desired — particularly given his standing of an costly backup. 

Whereas Swayman’s 16.5 targets saved above anticipated ranks fourth amongst a big pool of goalies, Korpisalo is at present working at -4.6 targets saved above anticipated — 77th out of these 83 certified netminders.

One thing’s obtained to offer with regards to the Bruins’ goalie corps. As a result of Sturm can’t hold rolling out Swayman for 3 or 4 video games in a row due to any type of trepidation over Korpisalo’s play between the pipes. 

If a change is required, the Bruins don’t must look very far for contingency plans. 

Each Michael DiPietro and Simon Zajicek have impressed down in Windfall up to now this season. DiPietro, 26, is at present coping with an harm, however the reigning AHL Goaltender of the Year is sporting a .933 save proportion throughout 15 video games this season with the P-Bruins.

Zajicek — a 24-year-old goalie signed out of the Czech Extraliga this previous offseason — boasts a .934 save proportion by means of 12 video games with Windfall. 

Each DiPietro and Zajicek are unproven within the NHL ranks.

However can both carry out higher than the present .880 save proportion at present put forth by Korpisalo? If that’s the case, both can be a extra inexpensive possibility for a Bruins staff that’s at present committing over $11 million in cap house to a goalie rotation that has left quite a bit to be desired this winter.

Turning to DiPietro or Zajicek after the NHL’s vacation roster freeze (Dec. 28) may very well be a possible possibility for the Bruins in the event that they wish to shake issues up. It could require a painful resolution involving putting Korpisalo on waivers, or looking for a commerce suitor for him. 

However because the Bruins proceed to push Swayman additional and additional in hopes of staying afloat in a log-jammed Japanese Convention, this present association between netminders is destined to burn Boston because the months keep on. 

 

Conor Ryan is a workers author overlaying the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Crimson Sox for Boston.com, a job he has held since 2023.