Joonas Korpisalo Assesses Play With Bruins Starting Goalie Job In Grasp

Getting traded to a new team and learning an entirely new system and teammates can be a tough transition. Sometimes it takes time to adjust, but Joonas Korpisalo won’t have the luxury of easing into things with the Boston Bruins.

All eyes are on Korpisalo with the Bruins still unable to agree to contract terms with Jeremy Swayman even with the start of the regular season just days away.

The good news is Korpisalo is a veteran of nine NHL seasons with plenty of experience and he’s feeling good with where he is at even after being in net Thursday for Boston’s 4-1 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Kings in Quebec City.

“I feel rather sharp,” Korpisalo told reporters, per team-provided video. “Like I said, I wasn’t happy with a couple goals myself. That’s preseason, it’s what it’s for. You got to be better and you learn things and we move on.”

Korpisalo made 22 saves on 26 shots against the Kings in what could be his final preseason appearance before he gets the start Tuesday in Boston’s season opener on the road against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

Korpisalo’s been solid in the preseason, posting a .904 save percentage in three games without all of Boston’s regulars playing in front of him. His best showing came this past Saturday when he turned away 37 shots in an overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Bruins unexpectedly will need Korpisalo at his best right away and his preseason performances have displayed he can give Boston enough of what it needs to get off to a strong start.