BOSTON — Jeremy Swayman was ready to fight.
Two Dallas Stars forwards hit the Bruins goalie late, shoving him into the goal. Swayman got up, no stick in hand and pushed Wyatt Johnson and motioned like he wanted to scrap.
Swayman’s real beef was with Jamie Benn, who jabbed at him and Ty Dellandrea who had shoved him, but the Bruins defense had escorted those two away by the time Swayman was back on his feet. Johnston was the closest green and white sweater to him and Swayman wanted a piece of somebody.
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There was no fight this time, as Johnston skated away. But Swayman’s willingness was significant. The Bruins’ intensity has been lacking in their recent slump and Swayman’s fire set a tone.
In Monday’s 4-3 shootout win, the Bruins did not play nearly as well as they did during the weeks leading up to the All-Star break. But they came out with a shootout win over one of the National Hockey League’s best teams partially because Swayman reverted to the form that made him an All-Star.
After three straight losses, Swayman rebounded with a season-high 43 saves in the game including 22 in the second period. That doesn’t even include the nine-round shootout when he allowed just one goal.
“I like seeing a lot of rubber,” he said. “It keeps you busy. You get into a flow.”
His two terrific saves on former Bruin Tyler Seguin in the final 1:30 of overtime kept Boston alive.
“He’s a battler and I think that really showed,” Jim Montgomery said. “They got the first two goals on deflections. That doesn’t deter him. He just keeps fighting. That’s why I call him ‘Bulldog.’ In the shootout he was awesome.”
Swayman has made no secret of his enjoyment of shootouts. While many players and goalies dislike them, the one-on-one showdowns appeal to Swayman’s competitiveness. A nine-round shootout against a team with Jake Oettingers his friend and fellow All-Star goalie only raised his intensity.
He gave up a goal to Jason Robertson on Dallas’ first attempt, but he settled in from there. After Brad Marchand kept Boston alive with a goal on the Bruins’ third attempt, Swayman looked out at Johnston. The center who wouldn’t fight him didn’t fool him either as Swayman turned away his wrist shot.
He and Oettinger went save for save for five straight rounds until Charlie McAvoy scored for Boston and Swayman got enough of ex-teammate Craig Smith’s shot to keep it out of the goal and give the Bruins a dramatic win.
“It’s my favorite moments. It’s why I play,” Swayman answered when asked about shootouts. “It’s pretty special. Facing Oettinger too. We’ve got a great friendship. Seeing him hold the fort down at the other end, I knew I had to rise to the occasion. It was one of those games you’re going to remember for a long time. I enjoyed it.”
