Linus Ullmark left the Boston Bruins game with the Arizona Coyotes with a lower-body injury. While the severity of the injury is unclear, how the goaltending situation is handled moving forward will show if Jim Montgomery is the right man for the job and determine the team’s success now and in the future.
Boston has been blessed with the best goalie tandem in the league. They essentially have two No.1’s instead of a starter and a backup.
So far this season, Jeremy Swayman and Ullmark have combined for a .917 save percentage and a 2.50 goals-against average. The tandem also has two shutouts (both recorded by Swayman) and an all-situation high-danger save percentage of .837 (3rd best in the NHL).
Ullmark has taken a bit of a step back compared to his unbelievable 2022-23 Vezina winning season that saw him win 40 games, along with recording a .938 save percentage and a 1.89 goals-against average. So far this season, Ully has a 13-5-2 record with a .915 save percentage and a 2.75 goals-against average.
But the handling of this injury will be crucial. If Ullmark is rushed back too quickly, he could have long-term complications. Luckily, Boston has Swayman.
Swayman is 25 years old and is really coming into his own. He is 11-3-6 with a 2.50 goals-against average, along with a .920 save percentage.
The Alaska native needs to take this opportunity and make a case that Montgomery should give him the starting job. He has previously struggled when receiving a run of starts, and if that continues, it will be hard to see him locking down a starting job. This could be the moment where Swayman’s career is forever changed.
Ullmark is 30 years old and closer to the end of his career than the beginning. The B’s need to see if Swayman is capable of being the lone man in net for the future or if they need to plan on acquiring another goalie to supplement him. Boston does have Brandon Bussi waiting in the wings, but he is unproven at the NHL level.
But besides the potential for the future of the crease to be changed, a stint without Ullmark would also prove that Boston is a championship contender. If the Bruins can handle losing an important player such as Ullmark, it is hard to see any obstacle getting in their way. If they end up struggling, it could signal that Boston doesn’t have what it takes to lift the Cup.
So Montgomery will have some tough decisions to make, and he needs to ensure he makes the right ones. The Bruins have struggled at points this year, leading to some questioning the head coach’s ability to lead Boston to the promised land.
It will be interesting to see what path the Bruins take, but no matter what happens, the handling of Ullmark’s injury will be crucial for Boston’s performance this season and in the future.
