Jim Montgomery says he’s not worried.
In his last two starts, Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman has allowed nine goals with just 41 saves on 50 shots, a save percentage of .820 and a goals-against average of just below 4.50. Those small sample numbers are well below his season numbers that made him an All-Star and the Bruins’ presumptive Game 1 playoff starter whether or not they use a rotation.
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With the postseason starting in just over a month, it’s not a great time to hit a slump, but the Bruins’ coach wasn’t worried.
It was the two starts before that had his attention. In those two outings, both against the Maple Leafs, he was 2-0-0 with a .968 save percentage allowing just two goals on 62 shots.
“Sometimes we get too enamored with stats,” Montgomery said. “We played Toronto twice and he beat them 4-1 twice. Those were the most important games in the stretch and he played well.”
The Maple Leafs are the Bruins’ most likely playoff opponent.
Swayman has been prone to a few back-to-back hiccups. He allowed a combined nine in two games in November and 12 over three games in early January and both times bounced back.
His .917 save percentage is fourth in the NHL and his 2.56 GAA is 10th. His .376 goals saves above expected per 60 minutes is seventh in the NHL.
He’ll likely get back in net when the Bruins face the New York Rangers on Thursday in a battle of playoff teams.
