Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) reacts during the second period of the NHL game against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Newark, N.J. The Devils won 5-1. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
By Matt Vautour | mvautour@masslive.com
BOSTON — The Boston Bruins will be without goaltender Jeremy Swayman for their important division game against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday at TD Garden. Swayman is dealing with an upper-body injury and will not dress for the matchup. This development comes after the Bruins’ loss to the New Jersey Devils, where Swayman was replaced by Joonas Korpisalo in the third period of the game.
Head coach Chris Sacco addressed Swayman’s injury after the game, stating that it was “something minor” and that the team would be taking precautions with the quick turnaround before their next game. “Sway is dealing with a little bit of an upper-body injury, minor,” Sacco said. “With the quick turnaround, we’re going to hold him out here and just monitor it.” The team is hopeful that Swayman’s absence is temporary, and Sacco is “cautiously optimistic” that Swayman will be back in action for Saturday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche.
To fill in for Swayman, the Bruins have called up goaltender Michael DiPietro, who will join the team ahead of Thursday’s game. Korpisalo will get the start in goal, making his appearance as the primary netminder while Swayman recovers. DiPietro will wear No. 80, a number previously worn by former Bruins goalie Daniel Vladar. His call-up provides the Bruins with depth in the crease while Swayman remains sidelined.
In addition to the goaltender situation, the Bruins will also see a return to the lineup for forward Trent Frederic. Frederic had missed the past two games due to illness, but he will be back in action for the key divisional contest against the Senators. Coach Sacco also indicated that there could be further lineup changes before the game, though he did not elaborate on specific adjustments.
There were no updates from Sacco regarding the status of other injured players, including defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm, as well as forwards Mark Kastelic and Cole Koepke. The team will continue to monitor their injuries, with the hope that more information will be available as their recovery progresses. The Bruins will be eager to get back to their winning ways, especially as they face a critical stretch of games.
