The moment that brought Jeremy Swayman to tears after Bruins' Game 6 loss
Jeremy Swayman deemed his final play of the 2023-24 season "unacceptable." It was a season-ending rebound goal, scored by Gustav Forsling with 1:33 remaining in the Panthers' 2-1 victory in Friday night's Game 6 at TD Garden. Swayman did not see the winning shot, but wishes he had better controlled the initial rebound.
"I wish I would have put the rebound in a better spot," he said after the game. "I didn't see the release of the second shot, and there was a hole there obviously. Unacceptable."
On the whole, however, Swayman's postseason was the furthest thing from unacceptable. In his first playoff run as the Bruins' No. 1 goalie, he was outstanding. His .933 save percentage in 12 starts ranks first among all goalies this postseason by a considerable margin.
Bruins fans were not going to let Swayman leave the Garden ice without letting him know exactly how much they appreciated his effort this spring. After the Bruins and Panthers finished the traditional handshake line, the fans who remained in the stands broke out one last "SWAY-MAN, SWAY-MAN" chant.
Swayman, who often wears his emotions on his sleeve, could not hold back the tears.
"Tears. Tears. I couldn't be more grateful to have a city, have a home base that's as supportive as Boston," Swayman said when asked about that moment. "They mean so much more than just fans to me. It's truly a home for me now. And to hear that was above and beyond. I'm just so grateful for all the love and support. We wouldn't be here without them. So, that was an incredible moment to be a part of."
Swayman's terrific postseason capped off the best season of his career overall. He started a career-high 43 games, winning a career-high 25. He made his first All-Star Game. He won his first playoff series and first Game 7.
Swayman appreciates the growth, not just in his own game, but with the whole team.
"I think the whole year was an incredible year of growth, not only for myself, but everyone on this team," he said. "And that's what I'm most proud of, is just these guys not taking no for an answer. We were doubted from the beginning, losing obviously huge pieces. And everyone stepping up and making a name for themselves, I would be a part of that 1,000 times over if I could."
In Swayman, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery saw not just a No. 1 goalie emerge, but a team leader who set the tone and elevated everyone around him.
"Jeremy Swayman was terrific," Montgomery said. "Night in, night out, he gave us an opportunity to win every night, making sensational saves. His competitiveness was something that our players and I thought our team and our bench fed off."
Clearly, this sounds like a player-team relationship that should continue. Swayman went on to call the Bruins "family" and said he told his teammates after the game that he's "never loved a team more."
Swayman needs a new contract, though. Last summer, he settled for a one-year, $3.475 million deal after a contentious arbitration process.
How negotiations with Swayman go this offseason will be one of the biggest questions facing the Bruins and general manager Don Sweeney.
Swayman was not ready to discuss any of that Friday night.
"I'm not worried about that right now," he said. "I'm worried about this game."
Swayman made his desires clear earlier in his media availability, though: Boston is his home. And Bruins fans voiced their opinion loud and clear as well: Swayman is their goalie.














