Head coach Jim Montgomery and goalie coach Bob Essensa elected not to continue the rotation in the playoffs. To this point, they have elected not to play Swayman at all, outside of three minutes at the end of Game 4 after Ullmark got a 10-minute misconduct for trying to fight Matthew Tkachuk.
Now, improbably, the Bruins are faced with a massive goaltending question that could very well decide whether this magical season continues or crashes and burns in stunning fashion: Who starts Game 7?
Whether it's physical, mental or some combination of the two, Ullmark's play has undoubtedly declined as this series has gone on. After surrendering six goals on 32 shots in Friday's 7-5 loss, he has now allowed 10 goals in the last two games, recording a paltry .825 save percentage in the process. He has given up four or more goals in all three Bruins losses.
After a rough outing in Game 2, the Bruins stuck with Ullmark and were rewarded with a pair of strong performances on the road in Games 3 and 4. Montgomery and Essensa were obviously hoping for and expecting a similar bounce-back after Game 5. Unfortunately, that didn't happen.
Sticking with Ullmark in Game 7, now after two straight subpar games, would show an immense amount of faith in the expected Vezina Trophy winner. It would also be an extremely risky decision that would open up Montgomery and Essensa to relentless criticism if Ullmark struggles again and it blows up in their face.
In the regular season, and even leading up to the playoffs, Montgomery and everyone else around the Bruins were adamant that they believed in both goalies and would be comfortable with either playing in the playoffs.
Their actions so far in this series haven't backed that up. There have been opportunities to play Swayman and give Ullmark a breather. They could have done it for Game 3, after Ullmark had struggled in Game 2 and while he was dealing with something that left him as a game-time decision.
They could have done it for Game 5, when they were up three games to one. Or for Game 6 after Ullmark struggled in Game 5. Heck, they even could have switched to Swayman during Game 6 after Ullmark gave up a couple goals he usually stops.
In all of those cases, though, Montgomery and Essensa kept going back to Ullmark, treating him like a workhorse No. 1 who doesn't have a capable backup. If they switch to Swayman now, he'll be coming in cold, having faced a grand total of one shot on goal in a game situation in the last two weeks. That, too, would be risky.
Continuing the rotation into the playoffs could have potentially avoided this problem, but that ship has sailed, at least for this round. Perhaps it should be back on the table if the Bruins do advance.
Whether they do will not be entirely decided by goaltending, just like these last two losses are not entirely the fault of Ullmark. Far from it, in fact.
The defense in front of Ullmark has been incredibly sloppy. On Friday, there were more of the brutal turnovers and D-zone breakdowns that have surfaced in all three losses this series.
Connor Clifton committed two such turnovers that led to Florida goals in Game 6. Clifton and defense partner Derek Forbort got pinned in their own zone and found themselves chasing the play on another. Charlie McAvoy and Dmitry Orlov got caught running around out of position on one, too.
Montgomery going back to the Forbort-Clifton pairing after they struggled in Games 1 and 2, and benching Matt Grzelcyk to do so, is another personnel decision that warrants criticism. So were the put-them-in-the-blender lines he used to start Game 5, lines that lasted just half a period but contributed to the game-long theme of the Bruins playing catch-up on Wednesday. Trent Frederic, who was sixth on the team in goals this season, being a healthy scratch two games in a row is odd, too.
All that said, Ullmark got beat on a pair of stoppable shots from Brandon Montour and Eetu Luostarinen on Friday, and he couldn't hold his ground on a jam attempt from Matthew Tkachuk. He bobbled several shots to his glove side. Game 5, of course, ended on his terrible turnover in overtime.
Montgomery and Essensa must decide if Ullmark is still their guy. They need to determine whether he is physically and mentally capable of not just handling, but excelling in a seventh straight start. If they have any concerns at all, they have to take a long, hard look at whether Swayman -- even with some rust forming over these last two weeks as a result of their decisions -- is the better option.
Get it right and they'll regain fans' trust and get a chance to re-evaluate their goalie plan before the second round. Get it wrong and they could be facing a long offseason filled with questions and criticism.
Game 7 is set for Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at TD Garden.
