After a Game 1 victory, Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery firmly stood by his choice to start Linus Ullmark over Jeremy Swayman in Game 2 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ullmark made 30 saves in the net, despite Swayman’s impressive 35-save performance in Boston’s 5-1 Game 1 win.
Montgomery refused to reveal his starting goaltender before the game, despite persistent questioning about whether he would maintain the Bruins’ established rotation. Boston had consistently alternated between Swayman and Ullmark since February, with Monday marking the 28th consecutive game they employed this strategy. However, Montgomery remained tight-lipped, extending the guessing game until pre-game warmups.
‘I don’t see why we would divulge information,’ Montgomery said earlier Monday. ‘If you’re preparing for a game, certain aspects of a goaltender are part of your pre-scout. So that’s an advantage for us, right? If [they] don’t know who’s starting.’
Ullmark, the NHL’s reigning Vezina Trophy winner, and Swayman both boasted strong regular-season stats. Swayman recorded a 25-10-8 record with a .916 save percentage (SV%) and 2.53 goals-against average (GAA), while Ullmark went 22-10-7 with a 2.57 GAA. Swayman’s 3-0-0 record against Toronto in the regular season made him the clear choice for Game 1.
Ullmark’s performance in Game 2 matched Swayman’s excellence, giving Boston a chance to take a commanding 2-0 series lead. The Bruins controlled the early play, taking a 2-1 first-period lead with goals from David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy.
However, Boston lost defenseman Connor Clifton in the second period, leaving them with a five-man rotation on their defensive end. Montgomery provided no update on Clifton’s condition after the game.
Toronto tied the game with a power-play goal from William Nylander in the second period, setting up a 2-2 score heading into the third period. The Leafs intensified their pressure, while Boston’s play became increasingly sluggish. Ullmark made two outstanding glove saves, one against Nick Robertson, to keep the game tied.
Auston Matthews, the NHL’s Rocket Richard Trophy winner with 69 regular-season goals, finally broke through Ullmark’s defense with a breakaway strike late in the third period, giving the Leafs a 3-2 lead. It marked the first time Toronto had led Boston in their last five meetings.
‘There’s a reason he scored 69,’ Ullmark said of Matthews’ game-winning goal. ‘[I’ll] try to get him next time.’
The Bruins and Maple Leafs now head to Toronto for Game 3 on Wednesday. Montgomery’s immediate focus lies not on who will start in goal but on improving the Bruins’ overall play in front of whoever gets the nod.
‘We’re not playing fast enough,’ Montgomery said. ‘We’re slow in transition, which is not allowing us to possess pucks and not allowing us to get in on the forecheck well enough. I didn’t think our urgency was where it needed to be to prevail tonight.’
With the series tied 1-1, Game 3 will be played in Toronto on Wednesday.
