In a recurring pattern this postseason, Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery has kept the identity of his Game 2 starter against the Maple Leafs on Monday under wraps.
During the morning skate, Montgomery playfully engaged with reporters who inquired about the choice between goalies Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark.
‘It’s funny you ask,’ Montgomery said. ‘I don’t like to keep you guys in the dark. Do any of you play Wordle? You do? Okay – the starting goalie tonight has two vowels in his first and last name.’
This clue effectively ruled out a surprise return for Tuukka Rask, but it provided no further insight as both Swayman and Ullmark meet the criteria.
Although Montgomery hinted that Swayman might start again against Toronto, it remains uncertain.
‘No. I actually don’t know what vowels those even are,’ Jake DeBrusk responded when asked if he could solve Montgomery’s Wordle riddle.
The Bruins face a conundrum, balancing the form of Swayman with the established goalie rotation that involves Ullmark.
Swayman was instrumental in Boston’s Game 1 victory, stopping 35 of 36 shots. He boasts a 5-0-0 record in his last five games against Toronto and an impressive .963 save percentage.
Despite Swayman’s recent success, Ullmark enjoyed a strong finish to the regular season, winning six of his last nine games after the trade deadline with a .935 save percentage.
‘We’ve leaned on it all year,’ DeBrusk said of the Bruins’ goalie rotation. ‘I think since last season as well with those two guys. I think it’s one of those things where we’re confident in both guys. I think both guys have stolen lots of games for us this year.
‘I think it’s intimidating as another team, you know you got two starting goaltenders. For us, it’s just one of those things where we want to play well in front of either of them.’
Montgomery’s silence on the matter means Bruins fans will have to wait until warmups to discover whether Swayman or Ullmark will guard the net on Monday night.
‘I don’t know why we would divulge information,’ Montgomery explained. ‘Like if you’re preparing a game, there’s parts of the goaltender that are part of your pre-scout. So that’s an advantage for us, right? … I don’t tell my wife, I’m not telling you.’
