Jeremy Swayman set to start Bruins’ home opener vs. Montreal

"I love his confidence around the team."

After dropping an ugly 6-4 loss to the Panthers in their season opener on Tuesday, the Bruins are turning to their No. 1 netminder on Causeway Street.

Speaking after morning skate, Jim Montgomery confirmed that Jeremy Swayman will make his season debut for Thursday’s home opener at TD Garden against the Montreal Canadiens.

“I love his confidence around the team,” Hampus Lindholm said of Swayman’s return. “I’ve played with him for a few years now, he’s a guy a that’s been around the team, the culture – we have a lot of belief in him, and he has a lot of belief in us. It’s gonna be fun to play in front of him.”

It’s a quick turn-around for Swayman, who signed an eight-year, $66 million contract with the Bruins on Sunday.

The 25-year-old netminder spent most of Boston’s training camp working out at Boston University, but has only logged one full practice with his teammates since putting pen to paper on a new deal.

Even with that limited practice time, Swayman was viewed as a potential option for Boston’s game on Tuesday against Florida.

“You want to get back on the horse as quick as possible,” Lindholm added. “It’s the first game, we don’t really put too much into it. We know we have to play way better here at home against Montreal. It’s gonna be a fun way to start off the season at TD Garden.”

Boston ultimately opted to start Joonas Korpisalo against Florida, with the veteran netminder relinquishing six goals on 35 total shots. It was not a strong debut for Korpisalo, but Boston’s defensive structure in front of him was severely lacking. Five of Florida’s six goals came off the rush.

“We were porous in Game 1 and the great thing about sports is we have an opportunity to respond tonight and show what we’re made of and show a better version of the Boston Bruins,” Montgomery said.

This will mark Swayman’s first start with Boston since the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, where the young goalie posted a .933 save percentage over 12 total starts.

“I feel like I’m the luckiest human in the world,” Swayman said Monday of rejoining the Bruins. “To be in the position I am, the gratitude is just pouring from everywhere. I know exactly what kind of trust [the Bruins] have in me and expectations they have.

“I have the same, if not more, expectation to perform and let everyone know that they made the right decision. I love being in this position. I could not be happier.”

Other changes up front

Beyond Swayman’s debut in net, the Bruins are also reshuffling their lineup for Thursday’s matchup against the Habs.

Forward Riley Tufte will make his Bruins debut, replacing Max Jones on Boston’s third line alongside Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau. On defense, Parker Wotherspoon will replace Mason Lohrei.

“It’s early in the year, we want to get people in the lineup, we want to get people acclimated to game speed,” Montgomery said. “The guys that are coming out, it’s not a reflection [of them]. The whole team was porous last game. It’s just an opportunity to get two guys in.”

Both Matt Poitras and Tyler Johnson were also spotted on the ice at Warrior Thursday morning. Poitras is working his way back form an undisclosed injury. “Poitras is continuing to make his steps that we go through,” Montgomery said. “Today was his first day without a red [non-contact] jersey.”

As for Johnson, who was brought in by Boston on a professional tryout (PTO) contract, Montgomery added that the veteran is “being patient and sticking around for now.” After Swayman’s hefty pay raise, the Bruins might have to shift some money around if they want to sign Johnson to a contract.

Here is Boston’s projected lineup for Thursday night:

Pavel Zacha – Elias Lindholm – David Pastrnak

Brad Marchand – Charlie Coyle – Morgan Geekie

Riley Tufte – Trent Frederic – Justin Brazeau

Johnny Beecher – Mark Kastelic – Cole Koepke

Nikita Zadorov – Charlie McAvoy

Hampus Lindholm – Brandon Carlo

Parker Wotherspoon – Andrew Peeke

Jeremy Swayman

Joonas Korpisalo

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.