Boston Bruins fans finally will get their first glimpse of Niklas Svedberg in a meaningful game Thursday night.
The 24-year-old Swede was the first goalie off the ice at morning skate, signifying that he likely will start for the Boston Bruins against the Nashville Predators.
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Svedberg, who was recalled from Providence for the second time in a week Thursday, spent the preseason with the big club but couldn’t beat out veteran Chad Johnson for the backup spot behind Tuukka Rask. Svedberg has appeared in 22 games for the P-Bruins this season, posting a 13-5-3 record with a 2.87 goals-against average and .909 save percentage.
Thursday will mark Svedberg’s first regular-season NHL appearance.
The usually steady Rask has struggled over the past week, allowing eight goals in his last two starts, including five in a 5-3 loss to the New York Islanders on Tuesday. He was strong during the B’s last meeting with Nashville, though, allowing two goals on 34 shots in a 6-2 Boston win Dec. 23.
Update: Bruins head coach Claude Julien told reporters that Svedberg indeed will start in net. Forward Carl Soderberg and defenseman Dougie Hamilton also will be in the lineup.
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