The headline news is the nod to Jeremy Swayman as the starting goalie, continuing the trend of game-by-game decisions between Swayman and Linus Ullmark. Both goalies have showcased stellar performances this season, with Swayman boasting a .928 save percentage, and Ullmark not far behind at .914.
Remarkably, the Bruins stand with an equal number of standings points for both netminders. Swayman holds a 9-2-4 record, while Ullmark sits at 10-5-2.
In another tweak to the lineup, Ian Mitchell makes way for Kevin Shattenkirk, who brings a veteran presence to bolster the defensive group.
Shattenkirk's return aims to fortify a defense that has experienced some lapses in recent games. Despite a less prolific season, with two goals and six assists, Shattenkirk's experience adds depth, averaging 16:33 of ice time per game.
In a move signaling reliance on veterans, Patrick Brown steps in for Oskar Steen, a 25-year-old center. Steen, with one goal this season, takes a backseat to the 31-year-old Brown, who also has one point on the year, typically seeing 4th line minutes.
With puck drop scheduled for 7:30 pm in Buffalo, these roster adjustments set the stage for an intriguing matchup as the Bruins look to navigate their game-time decisions.
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POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 27 | 562 ANSWERS Jim Montgomery Announces Massive Roster Changes Is this the right move for the Bruins? | ||
Yes | 401 | 71.4 % |
No | 161 | 28.6 % |
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