Jeremy Swayman continues to impress for the Bruins, and that trend continued Saturday afternoon.
Swayman made 27 saves on 29 stops in Boston's 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. The defense, at times this season, has left him out to dry but the rookie always has responded well and kept the B's in the game.
The 22-year-old continually shows the poise and composure of a veteran, and it's impressed head coach Bruce Cassidy thus far.
"I think he's played well," Cassidy said after the game. "He's had some goals go in on him, it seems like some nights they just seem to find a way ... tonight there was none of that. Both goals (by the Devils) were good plays by them on the rush. ... It's clean in terms of he squared every shot. There are some rebounds he'll need to clean up. ... but when you have rebounds it's a good thing because you're stopping the pucks.
"All in all his game has been pretty good. One game in Philly (against the Flyers) a bunch went in. ... He needed more starts to get his numbers down. ... All in all he's been a very good goaltender for us. It's a good competition and right now he's a little bit ahead. ... that needle has swung both ways."
Linus Ullmark has fared well for the most part for the Bruins, as well, but the eye test certainly has Swayman ahead of the veteran goalie. Still, it will be an interesting tandem to watch the rest of the way.
Here are some other notes from Saturday's Bruins-Devils game:
-- Erika Haula got his first goal as a member of the Bruins in the first period to make it a 1-0 game.
-- Brad Marchand potted a pair of goals to bring his total to eight this season.
-- Jake DeBrusk, who was demoted to the fourth line in the first period and Patrice Bergeron also had tallies for the Bruins.
-- The third period has given the Bruins some trouble this season, especially against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night when they gave up three goals in the 20 minutes.
"Every road game we gave up an empty netter," Cassidy said, adding the third-period numbers may be a little bit "skewed."
"... No excuse for what happened against Edmonton," Cassidy added.
-- Craig Smith did not play Saturday, and Cassidy said he probably will not play Sunday against the Montreal Canadiens.
-- Jakub Zboril slotted in for Mike Reilly on the third defensive pair, and Cassidy liked what he saw from the young defenseman.
"I thought he was clean for the most part," Cassidy said. "He'll go in (Sunday.) ... Wed like him to pish the group."
-- The Bruins now head back home to welcome the rival Montreal Canadiens to TD Garden. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET. NESN will air a full hour of pregame coverage beginning at 6 p.m.
