In the aftermath of a 3-2 defeat, Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery stood firm behind his decision to start Linus Ullmark over Jeremy Swayman in Game 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite Swayman’s stellar performance in Game 1, where he made 35 saves in a 5-1 victory, Montgomery opted for Ullmark, who finished Game 2 with 30 saves.
Montgomery had kept the starting goaltender a mystery leading up to Game 2, refusing to publicly disclose his choice. He emphasized the advantage of keeping the opposing team guessing about the goaltender lineup, maintaining a strategic edge for the Bruins. Ultimately, the decision to start Ullmark paid off, as he put on a strong performance.
Both Ullmark and Swayman had impressive regular-season statistics, making it a tough decision for Montgomery. Swayman had a perfect record against Toronto in the regular season, making him an obvious choice for Game 1. However, Ullmark proved his worth in Game 2, giving the Bruins a chance to take a 2-0 series lead over the Leafs.
Despite a strong start for the Bruins, with a 2-1 lead after the first period, the Leafs fought back and tied the game in the second period with a power play goal from John Tavares. The momentum shifted towards Toronto, with Ullmark making crucial saves to keep the Bruins in contention.
Auston Matthews, the NHL’s leading goal scorer in the regular season, secured the win for the Leafs with a late breakaway goal in the third period. Ullmark acknowledged Matthews’ skill and expressed determination to face him again. The loss marked the first time in five meetings that Toronto had led against Boston.
As the series shifts to Toronto for Game 3, Montgomery’s focus is on improving the Bruins’ overall performance rather than dwelling on the goaltending decision. He emphasized the need for increased urgency and speed in their gameplay. Meanwhile, the absence of Maple Leafs forward William Nylander due to injury adds another layer of uncertainty to the series.
