The Boston Bruins recalled Niklas Svedberg from Providence on Friday, giving the 24-year-old goaltender his first taste of regular-season NHL action.
Svedberg has split time with 2012 first-round draft pick Malcolm Subban in Providence this season, posting a 11-5-3 record with a 2.91 goals against average and .907 save percentage in 20 games.
Svedberg was named the American Hockey League’s most outstanding goaltender last season — his first with the Baby B’s — after ranking among the top five in the AHL in both GAA and save percentage.
It’s unclear what Svedberg’s call-up means for current Bruins backup Chad Johnson. The veteran has played well this season, posting a 6-2-0 record when Tuukka Rask has the night off, but he struggled during an ugly 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres last Thursday.
Svedberg was promoted last season to serve as the Bruins’ emergency goaltender during their run to the Stanley Cup Final, but he did not see game action. This is his first regular-season call-up.
The Bruins return from their holiday layoff Friday night, when they begin a home-and-home series with the Ottawa Senators.
