Speculation: Who starts Game 1?

[smithformeragent]

We can delve further into the "What Ifs?" regarding the rotation and what they do depending on the Game 1 results, but let's start real simple:

Who starts Game 1?

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[goldenblack]

Think he goes Sway

 

[lopey]

Think we go Ully. To me either is a good choice really.

 

[DaStinger]

Confident in either, I would start Ullmark. He was better down the stretch and deserves his playoff redemption arc. If he is shaky change it, don't ride a broken down pony again.

 

[BMC]

Linus. He's been better than Sway.

Actually it is a great problem to have....

 

[Healthy Wrap]

I would start Ullmark but for some reason I think Monty goes with Swayman

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

Sawyman's numbers against the Leafs this year has been to good to ignore. Start him with a short leash.

 

[Therick67]

Sawyman's numbers against the Leafs this year has been to good to ignore. Start him with a short leash.

I voted Linus, but after looking at the #'s it's Swayman for me.

3-0-0
1.30 Goals Against Average.
959 Save Percentage
97 Shots Against93 Saves

 

[JAD]

It's unorthodox, and until it's obvious not to do so, keep the rotation going. Both goalies are use to the routine, both physically and just as importantly mentally.

 

[Kegs]

Ullmark was a bit better this season. I’d start him and I’d give swayman a go maybe even game 2 depending on game 1. I think they should just roll out both goalies.

 

[McGarnagle]

Swayman was better over the bulk of the year but since the trade deadline Linus has been outplaying him, so I lean in that direction.

But seeing Swayman's numbers against the Leafs has me second-guessing. Plus I'm not forgetting how bad Ullmark was the last two postseasons. Either way I expect a short leash and some rotation.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

I voted Linus, but after looking at the #'s it's Swayman for me.

3-0-0
1.30 Goals Against Average.
959 Save Percentage
97 Shots Against93 Saves

Yeah that's had me thinking again too. Very impressive numbers for Sway in this regard. Likewise I still voted for Ullmark just on the back of his better form in the last month or two, but I wouldn't be against Sway getting the nod.

What it does reinforce for me is that rotation should definitely still be the default plan, subject to change depending on how things pan out.

 

[Bruinswillwin77]

Selena Gomez is still #2 on the Leafs goalie poll.

 

[DKH]

How can it not be Swayman

He’s up in rotation
He’s beat Leafs last two games both 4-1
He was super sharp against Caps
He’s the future after they appeared to try and trade Linus???

the most important game of the season and they are going with the guy they want to trade 6 weeks ago - crazy

If you aren’t starting Swayman then you should be keeping Ullmark at least another season and probably beyond

And not giving Swayman more then 6 M which is about where I would pay him

And since there aren’t really that many UFA F out there I want from other teams you can keep both

Very weak class unless you want guys on wrong side of 30 and rarely works

Keep the hug or one injury you are Detroit

I offer Sway 4 at $6 M and keep Ullmark 3 more years extension

Bruins can roll to 100-115 points year after year

 

[smithformeragent]

I ride Ullmark as far as he takes me.

 

[JoeIsAStud]

How can it not be Swayman

He’s up in rotation
He’s beat Leafs last two games both 4-1
He was super sharp against Caps
He’s the future after they appeared to try and trade Linus???

the most important game of the season and they are going with the guy they want to trade 6 weeks ago - crazy

If you aren’t starting Swayman then you should be keeping Ullmark at least another season and probably beyond

And not giving Swayman more then 6 M which is about where I would pay him

And since there aren’t really that many UFA F out there I want from other teams you can keep both

Very weak class unless you want guys on wrong side of 30 and rarely works

Keep the hug or one injury you are Detroit

I offer Sway 4 at $6 M and keep Ullmark 3 more years extension

Bruins can roll to 100-115 points year after year

Completely agree with every element of this. If you don't believe Swayman is the guy for game 1, then that has so many long term implications for the org

 

[ProdigalFan]

I said Swayman
1. He's up in the rotation and they should keep the rotation going as much as possible, they tried it the other way with Ullmark last year and it screwed them. The rotation works better physically and mentally for both of them. I wouldn't mess with it.
2. Game 1, both teams should come out with lots of energy, but especially the B's at home. Team defense "should" be at its best, which will help Sway and give him the best chance for success. (If the B's come out in slowpoke, regular season, "don't give a crap" mode in Game 1, we're not going far, anyway.)
3. Sway should be super motivated because of his pending contract.

 

[JCRO]

I think you go Ullmark for game 1.

I get that the stats have been great for Sway against the Leafs. But Ullmark has been the better tender. Luckily, Sway seems to have started to find his game in the last few starts. Especially his last one.

The real question lies with game 2. If, assuming Ullmark starts and he is phenomenal and they Bruins win, do you go right back to him?

Also, as guys such as Jaffe and such have said, you dont HAVE to go 1-1-1 etc. with the rotation. You can go 2-1-1 or 2-1-2 or what ever you want.

Dont forget Ullmark was also injured last postseason. It wasnt just because they went away from the rotation. Guy was banged up which made NOT going to the rotation till it was too late that much worse.

I think Jimbo redeems himself and has a better finger on the pulse of this team this postseason.

Lastly, Id rather have both these guys than anyone on the blue and white. Thats already a plus.

 

[KrejciMVP]

Sway, Ullmark will be a flopping whale if the Leafs are on their game

 

[PB37]

First period: Swayman

Second period: Ullmark

Third period: Swayman 10 minutes to start the period / Ullmark 10 minutes closing it out

 

[ON3M4N]

I'd probably go with Swayman. He had a rough March, but was strong in his April games. He's also got really good numbers against Toronto. I know some have said that Ullmark has been the better goalie post break, but the numbers don't seem to trend that way....

Post All-Star Break
Swayman: 25-10-8 / 2.53 GAA / .916 SV% / 3 SO
Ullmark: 22-10-7 / 2.57 GAA / .915 SV% / 2 SO

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

50-50 which returns to the point, and a point raised on the Saturday hockey show - investing so heavily in goaltending is a regular season benefit but 50% of your investment is on the bench in the playoffs. This is going to be a major focus on Sweeney should the Bruins fail in round 1 again.

 

[goldenblack]

If they still want to trade Linus, he has to show well. If Sway wants to get paid, he has to show well.

Should be interesting to see how this goes. Be nice for Toronto to not know till puck drop.

 

[ODAAT]

I voted Ullmark to start game 1 but my choice would be for Sway to get game 1, Ullmark 2

 

[SPLBRUIN]

Swayman, his last few starts were really good and he was excellent against the Leafs this year.