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Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins (Eric Canha-Imagn Images)

Swayman Stepping Up in Bruins’ Biggest Games

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Brandon Share-Cohen | Last updated Mar 23, 2026 9:45 AM ET

When the games matter most, Jeremy Swayman is consistently at his best. For a team locked in a heated playoff race like the Boston Bruins, this could ultimately be the difference between making the postseason or beginning their offseason early. The standings in the Eastern Conference are as tight as they’ve been all season, turning nearly every game into a playoff-style matchup.

To really put in perspective how competitive the Eastern Conference has been this season, the ninth-place team in the Conference, the Red Wings, would be first in the Pacific Division by two points. It’s been a rollercoaster year thus far and it should only get more hectic as the remaining games start to tick off the calendar.

In his most recent start, Swayman backstopped the Bruins to a 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings, stopping 41 of 43 shots. Though divisional matchups typically carry weight this time of year, this win against the Red Wings was easily the Bruins’ most important of the season. With both teams tied in the standings and occupying both Wild Card spots in the Eastern Conference heading into the matchup, the game had a legitimate playoff feel. With the lights shining the brightest, though, Swayman delivered his best performance of the season and gave the Bruins a little breathing room.

Swayman Shining Since Olympics

Since the Olympics, Swayman has been on a heater. He’s started nine of the team’s 13 games and gone 6-2-1 with a staggering .930 save percentage in those contests. Swayman has been one of the NHL’s best goalies all season, but he’s elevated his game to another level as the race to the postseason heats up.

Goaltending in Boston has long been an interesting discussion, dating back to when Tuukka Rask took over as the full-time starter from Tim Thomas. Swayman’s $8.25 million annual salary naturally opens the door for criticism and debate, but with the way he performs in the Bruins’ most important games, it’s hard to argue he isn’t earning every dollar of that deal right now.

The Bruins have 12 games remaining in the 2025-26 regular season and sit tied with the Montreal Canadiens at 86 points apiece. The Canadiens have played one fewer game than Boston, giving them the third spot in the Atlantic Division, but plenty can change between now and the end of the season. The Bruins are going to bring their A-game every night and hope that Swayman can continue to dominate the rest of the way. The easier they can make things for him, the better, especially since getting to the playoffs is only half the battle; winning in the postseason is where it truly counts.

Managing Swayman’s Workload

The Bruins’ upcoming schedule consists of two back-to-backs and pits them against three Eastern Conference teams, including two divisional matchups.

The first game will see the Bruins face off against one of their biggest rivals in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Though the Maple Leafs are tied for last in the Atlantic Division this season and second-to-last in the Eastern Conference as a whole, the Bruins cannot overlook them. The following day they face off against the Division-leading Buffalo Sabres in what should be a good test for the Bruins.

Following a two-day rest, the Bruins will take on the Minnesota Wild on Saturday before taking on the Columbus Blue Jackets the following day. Though it isn’t ideal to play so many back-to-back games, these contests will force the Bruins to give Swayman some rest in between rather than burning him out before the playoffs even begin. If Joonas Korpisalo starts two of these games, winning even one of them should be considered a good outcome for them as Swayman gets a breather.

Anything can happen between now and the postseason, but the Bruins are hoping that they can return to the playoffs just one season after missing it and starting a retool.