Boston Bruins announce starting goaltender for regular season opener

With former All-Star goaltender Tuukka Rask's future with the Boston Bruins up the air, the team decided to make other arrangements, bringing aboard former Buffalo Sabres goaltender Linus Ullmark and hammering out a four year, $20 commitment for him to wear the black and yellow.

And though he's only suited up in exhibition play so far, it's safe to say that Ullmark hasn't exactly won over the hearts of his new fan base. 

Ullmark, who was shut down by the basement dwelling Sabres in April thanks to a lower body injury, displayed noticeable signs of rust during the exhibition season, allowing 10 goals on 62 shots for a less than spectacular .839 save percentage. Meanwhile, Jeremy Swayman stopped 68 of the 73 shots he faced for a .932 save percentage during exhibition play. 

Ullmark will not be in net when the Bruins take on the Dallas Stars tomorrow night in their regular season opening game. According to head coach Bruce Cassidy, it will be Swayman between the pipes against the Stars. 

 "Swayman, we know what he can do in a sample size and certainly will get the net and continue to get it if he earns it,” Cassidy said earlier this week. “So it’s not determined one will be definitely the No. 1 or not. So I think there’s more competition than there ever has been. Like I said, Ullmark is a veteran in this league and we have to be mindful of that and make sure he gets the necessary reps too.”

Originally selected by Boston with the 111th overall pick in the 4th round of the 2017 NHL Draft, Swayman got his first taste of NHL action last season. He put together respectable numbers, winning 10 games (seven losses) with an impressive 1.45 goals against average, .945 save percentage and two shutouts. 

Meanwhile, prior to signing with the Bruins this offseason, the 163rd overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2012 NHL Draft has appeared in 117 career games, posting a record of 50-47-13 with a 2.78 goals against average, .913 save percentage and three shutouts.

The Bruins will be taking on former teammate Tyler Seguin and the Stars tomorrow night at TD Garden starting at 7:00 PM EST.