‘The Bruins have a really good one for a long time:’ Goalie Jeremy Swayman impressive in first playoff win

BOSTON — It’s a huge compliment when one of the most respected players in the NHL compares you to Carey Price and Tuukka Rask.

It’s also impressive when that praise comes from a fellow Alaskan.

That’s the case for Bruins rookie goalie Jeremy Swayman.

NHL veteran Nate Thompson watched intently from home in Los Angeles as Swayman started his first Stanley Cup playoff game when the Bruins hosted the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the first-round series Friday night at TD Garden.

The Bruins finished with a 4-2 win and Swayman posted 25 saves for his first Stanley Cup playoff win.

“Do everything you can to win – simple,” he said as the Bruins cut the series deficit to 2-1.

“That was special,” he said of his first playoff start. “The only time I had was last year when COVID allowed fans to come in, and that was obviously electric, but it’s a great experience every time you walk into a full building here, and playoffs is a whole other level. It’s great to get the win in front of our hometown tonight.”

Swayman exudes confidence. He showcases his 6-foot-3 and 200-pound frame with athleticism in the crease. He’s calm, fundamental sound, and makes a difficult job look easy at times.

Thompson’s right with his scouting report of Swayman.

“That’s the No. 1 thing I noticed, his personality and his calm demeanor, right away I knew this guy’s going to be a good goalie because of this,” Thompson said. “He reminds me of Tuukka. He reminds me of Carey Price with that calm demeanor. (Swayman’s) very confident, but in a quiet way.”

This is the first time in a long time the Bruins will use a goaltending tandem in the playoffs since Rask retired this season due to health reasons. Games 1 and 2 of this series it was Linus Ullmark, but Carolina gained a 2-0 series lead. Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy went with Swayman in Game 3 and it paid off.

The Bruins were impressed with Swayman’s calmness in this situation.

“That’s his demeanor and that won’t change,” Cassidy said. “The further we go along some of that will get tested. Obviously, for a young guy these are the most important games he’s probably ever played. We knew that about him.”

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Cassidy admitted the team didn’t know which goalie would start the series until the decision was made to go with Ullmark. Now, the net is Swayman’s.

“He got his opportunity and he was ready for it,” Cassidy said. “He’s consistent and a good pro for a young guy. He’ll get tested again Sunday, but he passed his first one.”

Thompson and Swayman skated together back home last summer and the two really got to know each other.

“It was the first time I was able to shoot on him, and I was like, ‘Holy (expletive). This kid’s pretty good.’ You realize this kid is a stud. You can tell when you shoot on goalies you can tell which guys are legit, and he’s one of those guys.”

Both turned pro in the Bruins organization. Boston selected Thompson in the sixth round (183rd overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He began his pro career with the Providence Bruins and his NHL debut with the Bruins in 2006-07. The Bruins selected Swayman in the fourth round (111th overall) in 2017.

During last summer’s workout sessions, the two talked about representing Alaska, and the Bruins.

“Don’t forget where you came from,” Thompson told him. “He’s a good Alaskan kid with a good family. He’s really well-liked, so everyone’s rooting for him. The sky’s the limit for Sway.”

Thompson said it’s been impressive to watch Swayman’s development. The plan was for Swayman and Ullmark to be the goaltending tandem in Boston while veteran Tuukka Rask rehabbed from hip surgery.

Swayman and Ullmark quickly built chemistry this season and it was evident the tandem was working. Rask’s return didn’t go as planned and he decided to retire. Goaltending helped the Bruins earn a playoff berth and it’ll take the team as far as it goes.

“He’s taken the opportunity and ran with it,” Thompson said. “You can see why he’s so successful already at his age because he’s a mature kid. He’s got a great work ethic. He carries himself well, and he’s mature beyond his years. He has that quiet confidence and he’s calm. He has all the attributes of a true No. 1 goalie.”

Since the demographic is small (less than 20 players in the NHL), any top players coming out of Alaska gain notoriety. Scott Gomez played 16 seasons in the NHL, while Thompson recently concluded his 15th.

“I’m the old guy now from Alaska,” Thompson said with a laugh.

Thompson paid close attention to Swayman’s career at Maine, and when he started in Providence. When they talk hockey, Thompson, 37, doesn’t need to give the 23-year-old goalie too many pointers.

“I didn’t have to give him too much advice,” admitted Thompson. “He’s confident, but in a humble way. He believes in himself. If I gave him any advice it was basically just enjoy every moment of this.”

The fraternity of Alaskan players is small, but it’s a tight-knit group.

“It’s pretty cool, actually,” Thompson said. “It was one of the things I learned at a young age, trying to follow in the footsteps of Scott Gomez. When I first turned pro, I learned from Scotty that we take care of our own. Now, Scotty and I want to do the same thing for Sway.”

Many NHL evaluators believe Swayman will be the guy in net for the Bruins for a long time.

“For someone from Alaska to make it is special. It’s special for our state, because hockey’s a big sport up there and to be able to represent Alaska in the NHL is something pretty special.”

For over a decade Bruins fans chanted “Tuuuuuk” after the veteran netminder made an impressive save. Well, the torch has been passed.

Exactly midway through the second period of Game 3, the 19,??? Fans began to chant “Swayman, Swayman, Swayman.”

Get used to that.

“The Bruins have a really good one for a long time,” Thompson said. “He’s a true Bruin.”

He proved it – again – when the Bruins needed him most.

Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman sharp as Boston tops Carolina in Game 3