Held on the sidelines due to COVID-19 in early April, veteran Boston Bruins goaltender Jaroslav Halak reluctantly lost his substitute position in preparation for the National League playoffs. hockey (NHL).
The decision is mainly due to the brilliance of Jeremy Swayman. The 22-year-old American has indeed been brilliant in goal for the Bruins over the past few weeks. In 10 games, he has maintained a 7-3-0 record, a 1.50 goals-against average and an extraordinary .945 save rate.
“I think he deserved it,” said head coach Bruce Cassidy, quoted on the Bruins website about his choice of going with Swayman to back up Tuukka Rask. Obviously it’s a tough decision because of Jaro’s experience, but Jeremy just played more in the latter part of the schedule. ”
Take your chance
Without a doubt, Swayman took advantage of the circumstances that presented themselves to him. He didn’t give Cassidy a choice to keep him in training.
“Tuukka was injured and Jaro had to follow the protocol related to COVID-19,” said the coach. Then there is the quarantine and for the guards; it’s a little harder to be sent back into the fray. ”
“Swayman grabbed the ball and ran with it,” Cassidy said. The decision is made, but it could change during the playoffs as Jaro takes more reps in training. Currently, it must be said that Swayman has done everything that was asked of him. “
Memories of 2010
Halak has 39 games of NHL playoff experience. He had participated in 18 games of the playoffs with the Montreal Canadiens in 2010, then largely contributing to the elimination of the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first two rounds. Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom certainly remember this.
Remember that the Bruins will face the Capitals in the first round of the playoffs starting this Saturday, May 15 in Washington.
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