BSJ Game Report: Bruins 2, Penguins 1 - Swayman stands tall as B’s clinch playoff berth

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 2-1 win over the Penguins, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

B’s punch ticket to postseason: For the sixth straight season, the Bruins are heading to the playoffs - with the B’s solidifying their spot in the Eastern Conference playoff bracket by way of a 2-1 victory over the Penguins on Saturday afternoon. 

Beyond the playoff implications, Saturday’s victory came at a perfect time for a beleaguered B’s roster - with a strong showing from Jeremy Swayman (23 saves on 24 shots) and secondary scoring from the middle-six grouping helping Boston snap a three-game losing streak.

Trent Frederic and Erik Haula both lit the lamp for the Bruins, who improve to 46-24-5 on the season.

The Bruins still have something to play for in terms of playoff positioning - with the B’s currently one point behind third-place Tampa Bay in the Atlantic and five points clear of the Capitals in the Wild-Card standings.

“We have a standard here, right? So we’re not going to go out and celebrate that we made the playoffs, but it’s still an accomplishment you should be proud of,” Bruce Cassidy noted.

Swayman, Frederic respond: A win is a win, but it was good to see players like Jeremy Swayman and Trent Frederic leave their fingerprints all over Saturday’s victory against a good Penguins club.

Frederic sure seems to have received the message after getting tagged with a healthy scratch on Thursday, with the forward burying a goal just 49 seconds into Saturday’s game en route to one of the strongest showings from this third line in weeks. 

As for Swayman, Saturday stood as a major step in the right direction for a young netminder who has been in a rut for the last few weeks (.880 save percentage over the last eight games). 

With Linus Ullmark currently sidelined with an undisclosed injury, Swayman might have to earn a hefty amount of reps over the next week or so. And a performance like Saturday’s might be just what he needs to get back on track after this recent late-season slump.

Reinforcements on the way?

This Bruins roster has been thinned considerably over the last few games due to the sting of the injury bug, but help could be arriving soon.

After both Matt Grzelcyk and Brandon Carlo returned to the lineup on Thursday and Saturday, respectively, the B’s could be getting Hampus Lindholm back in short order - as Cassidy noted that the top-pairing blueliner was working out off the ice during Saturday's game and is not far off. 

And even though Ullmark was put on the shelf Thursday night after taking a puck off his mask, Cassidy said that the netminder is already "feeling better". 

Add in the fact that David Pastrnak has also been back on the ice and skating ahead of practices - along with no injuries to report from Saturday’s win - and the B’s will have their fingers crossed that the worst of this injury surge is behind them.

THREE UP

Jeremy Swayman: After having a rough go of it for the last few weeks, the Bruins have to be pleased with Swayman’s bounce-back showing on Saturday, especially against a Penguins team that can bury you in a hurry. Swayman’s strong third period against the Senators on Thursday carried over on Saturday, with the rookie netminder stopping 23 of the 24 shots that came his way.

Trent Frederic: Yep, it sure seems like Frederic got the memo after getting benched on Thursday night. Along with his opening tally in the first minute of play, Frederic was engaged and assertive (without the costly penalties) on a third line that desperately needed to find some traction after seeing their game slip for a bit.

Bergeron line: Yes, it was Haula’s line that might have scored on Saturday, but the Marchand-Bergeron-DeBrusk line was buzzing throughout the afternoon — with Jake DeBrusk landing three shots on goal in 19:01 of ice time. Along with regularly threatening Casey DeSmith in the offensive zone, that top line also made some strong plays down the other end of the ice, with Patrice Bergeron leading the charge with some stick lifts and timely blocks. 

TWO DOWN

Power play: The Bruins got back in the win column and didn’t lose any more regulars to injury. Sounds like a pretty good day at the office. That being said, Boston’s power play still leaves a lot to be desired - with Boston now stuck in an 0-for-25 rut.

Mike Reilly: Reilly continues to find himself in the sin bin early and often. As 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Ty Anderson noted, Reilly has been whistled for five infractions in the span of just 96 minutes of game action. Ooof. 

PLAY OF THE GAME

LOOSE PUCKS 

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins will now head back out on the road for a brief two-game trek, starting on Tuesday with a matchup against the St. Louis Blues. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m.