Korpisalo looks more and more like the Bruins’ opening night goaltender originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Boston Bruins open 2024-25 NHL regular season in eight days in Florida against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Panthers.
Boston’s number one goaltender, Jeremy Swayman, is still not signed as a restricted free agent and therefore was not with the team for training camp or any of the first four preseason games.
The longer Swayman remains without a contract, the more likely it is that Joonas Korpisalo will be the goaltender leading the Bruins onto the ice at Amerant Bank Arena for opening night.
“Where we are in camp right now, and with how well camp has gone and Korpisalo’s performance, right now he’s going to be our starter for the first game,” the coach said- Bruins head Jim Montgomery during a press conference Monday.
Montgomery was asked how much time Swayman might need to get up to speed after missing much of camp and the preseason. It appears that even if Swayman were to sign in the very near future, Korpisalo would still be the starter in the first regular season game.
“The more time you go without seeing NHL shots, the more time you go without seeing that kind of pace and pace in front of you, whether it’s a 5-on-5 scrimmage like we do. have done in every practice or we get game reps, the further back you get pushed back – and that’s why I referenced that, let’s say a deal is done (with Swayman) tomorrow it There’s only a chance of two practices before (opening night),” Montgomery said. “Korpisalo played very well and we have confidence in him. That’s why I mentioned him from the start of the first match.”
Korpisalo was acquired by the Bruins in June in the context of trade Linus Ullmark with the Ottawa Senators.
The Finnish goaltender struggled quite a bit with the Senators last season, but has played well at times throughout his career, most recently during the 2022-23 campaign with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings . He has made 250 career starts since his NHL debut in the 2025-2016 season.
Korpisalo has played well for the Bruins in the preseason with a .936 save percentage and 1.91 GAA in two appearances so far. He has dominated rookie goaltender Brandon Bussi thus far.
