SUNRISE, Fla. — Sam Reinhart had a goal already in the game and 57 during the regular season. So for a Bruins team with its season on the line, the Florida forward was the last person, they’d want open with the puck on his stick from point-blank range.
But with 9 seconds left and the Bruins clinging to a one-goal lead Brandon Montour fed the puck from the right-wing boards to Reinhart by himself on the inner edge of the faceoff circle. Jeremy Swayman veered to face him as the Panther pulled the trigger and smothered the shot with his glove.
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It wasn’t the flashiest save of Swayman’s 28 saves on Tuesday, but it was certainly the biggest. It sealed the Bruins’ 2-1 win that kept their season alive and forced a Game 6 on Friday in Boston.
He made 10 third-period saves and amidst the chaos in the final minutes, he was calm.
“Just the confidence and belief in himself really does rub off on everybody,” Charlie McAvoy said. “I have so much confidence playing in front of him. You start to feel it. The guys in our room feel it.”
David Pastrnak agreed.
“That’s what you need from your goalie. He has a healthy (pauses) cockiness is the only word I can think of in English. But in a good way. He’s focused,” Pastrnak said. “There’s never a doubt with him. It doesn’t surprise me. He’s an unbelievable player, the best player for our team.”
While everyone else was gripping tight trying to hang on in the final minutes, Swayman was enjoying himself.
“Just being me and embracing moments. That’s when I find the most enjoyment. Living life to the absolute fullest. I couldn’t be happier,” he said. “It’s moment by moment, save by save, play by play. Just doing whatever I have to do to stop the puck.
“When I’m dialed in, I’d run through a wall for these guys,” he added. “I’d do anything I could for these guys. I’d do anything I can to make a save. That’s all I’m caring about out there. It’s really special to get wins like that.”
