Swayman takes victory in Bruins' home opener after camp break

BOSTON – Jeremy Swayman was the first player introduced before the Bruins' home opener Thursday night, and he took the ice to huge applause.

Boston fans expressed no dissatisfaction with the contract denial, which kept him out of training camp until he signed a $66 million contract on Sunday, two days before the start of the season.

“It’s so incredible to be able to play again and be in this building again. It's a lot of gratitude,” Swayman said after stopping 21 shots to lead the Bruins to a 6-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

“It was quite emotional, this warm welcome,” he said. “And it just shows what kind of fan base we have here because we know they care about more than just a player, it's a person they care about. And I got pretty emotional when I finally got on the ice and heard that roar again.”

Swayman was suspended for a pair of goals midway through the first period, but then allowed another pair in the third as Montreal cut a three-goal deficit to 5-4 on Brendan Gallagher's second goal of the game with 4:17 left . Mark Kastelic scored 17 seconds later to secure the win.

Swayman also gave Montreal forward Nick Suzuki a little push at the end of the second period to force him out of the goal line, but the linesman quickly came in and separated them.

“It's because of my inertia to go in this direction. That’s why I needed a little help with my balance there,” said the goalkeeper with a laugh. “I have different tactics to get myself into the game – obviously being vocal with my guys, chatting with the refs and doing my thing, bringing my swagger and my calmness to the stadium and I know then I mean Best play.” “

Swayman was the backup to Linus Ullmark in Boston's record-setting 2022-23 season; The two alternated last year when Swayman started 43 times in the regular season and posted a 2.53 goals-against average before earning the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

As a restricted free agent, Swayman had missed all of training camp before agreeing to an eight-year, $8.25 million per year contract that puts him among the NHL's top five goaltenders by average annual value.

He had only one practice with the team before the opening game, and backup Joonas Korpisalo played and conceded six goals in Tuesday's season-opening 4-6 loss to defending Stanley Cup champion Florida. As the Panthers, who had knocked Boston out of the playoffs each of the last two seasons, took a 5-1 lead, their fans chanted “We want Swayman!”

“They will use their tactics to be part of the game and they did that well,” Swayman said. “I want to play every game. I want to be on the net every chance I get. That’s why I’m really excited about this opportunity.”

Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said he liked what he saw from Swayman, adding that some of the goals came from defensive errors.

“Jeremy Swayman was good,” he said. “He made the saves he could.”