Bruins vs. Blue Jackets: Swayman to Start in Crucial Playoff Matchup
COLUMBUS – The Boston Bruins continue their playoff push with a Sunday afternoon battle against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Following a decisive 6-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild at TD Garden on Saturday, the Bruins face the second night of a back-to-back, aiming to secure valuable points in a tightly contested Eastern Conference.
Playoff Implications
This marks the second of three regular-season meetings between the two teams. Boston previously defeated Columbus 4-2 on February 26th. Both teams are firmly in the playoff race, with the Blue Jackets currently holding the second wild-card spot with 87 points, just three behind the Bruins who have 90 points. The stakes are high as both franchises battle for positioning in the Eastern Conference standings.
Head coach Marco Sturm emphasized the team’s positive mindset, stating, “I feel like the tighter it gets, the more excited my guys are getting, too. That’s a good sign. Guys are feeling very comfortable.”
Swayman Gets the Nod
Jeremy Swayman will be starting in net for the Bruins. This is the first time this season Swayman will be playing in both games of a back-to-back. He was stellar against the Wild, stopping 31 shots, and boasts a 2.72 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage across 49 games.
Sturm explained the decision, saying, “There are a few reasons. First of all, he’s been outstanding. I think he’s one of the best goalies in the league right now. He had three days of rest, he played unbelievable last night. Another big one tonight. So, we feel really good and confident he can bring us another two points here in a tough building.” Sturm also highlighted Swayman’s competitive spirit, adding, “He didn’t expect anything else. That’s him. He’s a competitive guy; he wants the big moments.”
Lineup Changes and Power Play Adjustments
The Bruins will see a change on the blue line, with Henri Jokiharju stepping into the lineup in place of Mason Lohrei, who is dealing with an upper-body injury. Jokiharju will pair with Hampus Lindholm on the second defensive pairing. Sturm noted Lohrei’s injury has been ongoing, stating, “It has been going on for a while, just got worse. He’s been playing really good, he was just not 100%. Hopefully it’s not longer, just day by day and go from there.”
Furthermore, Sturm announced adjustments to the Bruins’ power play, which has been struggling for consistency. “Today we’re going to switch it up a little bit and see if that helps,” he said. “Two different units are going to be out there today. See if that works. Just try to get something out of the boys and get a little bit of the spark because that’s been a huge part of our game. We need that back.”
Looking Ahead
The Bruins and Blue Jackets are set for an exciting matchup with significant playoff implications. With Swayman in net and adjustments to both the lineup and power play, Boston aims to continue their winning momentum and solidify their position in the Eastern Conference.
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