Bruins
“I think that his confidence and his swagger, I think it permeated through the group.”
Without the heroics of goalie Jeremy Swayman, the Bruins may not have found a way to sneak past the Maple Leafs in seven games.
Swayman became the second Bruins goalie to post a save percentage of at least .950 in a playoff series (minimum six games), joining Tim Thomas (.967) in 2011.
He allowed just nine goals over six games and saved some of his best hockey for the defining moments of Game 7.
After Boston’s 2-1 overtime triumph at TD Garden, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery echoed the thoughts of many.
“He was our best player in the series,” Montgomery told reporters. “It’s not close, right?”
Montgomery said it wasn’t just the saves he made – it was the way his saves lifted up those around him. His poise in the clutch stood out.
“I think that his confidence and his swagger, I think it permeated through the group,” Montgomery said.
It was clear the moment meant a great deal to Swayman, who said it was even sweeter in front of the home crowd. He called it a “dream come true.”
“I just wanted to battle and do my job, and enjoy the fruits of Game 7 overtime,” Swayman said.
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