Boston Bruins complete an official move with goaltender Joonas Korpisalo
Photo credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
After practice, Bruins head coach Marco Sturm confirmed Korpisalo will start tonight, a clear signal Boston wants to reset the crease. It also ends a stretch where Jeremy Swayman has carried almost everything.
Despite the recent trade rumors surrounding Korpisalo, the Bruins are giving him a chance to prove himself tonight.
The workload numbers floating around the room are eye-opening. Since mid-December, this will be Korpisalo's third start in 25 days, while Swayman has taken nine of the last 11.
That trend matches the bigger picture too, because Swayman is already up to 29 starts on the season, while Korpisalo sits at 14. If the Bruins want Swayman sharp in March, nights like this have to count.
Joonas Korpisalo start forces Boston Bruins decision
As a Bruins fan, I'm rooting for him here, because a tired starter in January is how seasons quietly slip away.
Korpisalo also needs it personally, because his season line is rough. He's 6-8-0 with a 3.60 goals-against average and an .882 save percentage, and that's the kind of card that only improves with steadier reps.
Boston's cap math makes the moment louder. With Ottawa retaining part of the deal, Korpisalo costs the Bruins about $3 million against the cap, and that's a lot for a goalie who rarely plays.
If Korpisalo gives them a calm, boring win, it buys Sturm the freedom to actually rotate instead of riding Swayman by default.
Boston has to help him early with clean exits and fewer slot breakdowns, especially with Hampus Lindholm still out. Calgary will come hard off the forecheck, so the first pass matters more than the highlight play.
Tonight is a chance to earn trust, not just survive a start. If Korpisalo plays well, the Bruins can breathe a little, and the rest of the season suddenly looks less like a grind.
Also read on Boston Hockey Insider :
Rumor: Boston Bruins trade Fraser Minten to the Vancouver Canucks for Kiefer Sherwood
Rumor: Boston Bruins trade Fraser Minten to the Vancouver Canucks for Kiefer Sherwood
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 8 | 54 ANSWERS Boston Bruins complete an official move with goaltender Joonas Korpisalo Should Marco Sturm keep giving Joonas Korpisalo more starts after tonight? | ||
| Start Joonas Korpisalo | 14 | 25.9 % |
| Ride Jeremy Swayman | 4 | 7.4 % |
| Split starts | 16 | 29.6 % |
| Depends on tonight | 20 | 37 % |
| List of polls | ||