Bruce Cassidy still isn’t blaming Linus Ullmark for the Bruins being down two games to none in their first-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes. But he’s hoping inserting Jeremy Swayman into the lineup might energize Boston.
At the other end of the ice, injured goalie Antti Raanta’s status for the Hurricanes is still undetermined.
Cassidy admitted his team needed a spark.
“Swayman will go tomorrow. Linus has been fine. We have to do a better job at the other end. But we may need a performance where we need that timely save that gives the guys some life,” he said. “That’s where we’re at right now. (Carolina is) scoring goals and not giving many up.
“I’m not saying Ullmark is the reason, he’s not,” Cassidy said again. “Swayman will be in there. Hopefully, he’s up for the task.”
It will be Swayman’s first career playoff start. He came in in relief of Tuukka Rask last year.
Raanta skated for Hurricanes Thursday after leaving Wednesday’s game. He was bleeding from his mouth after an early collision with David Pastrnak.
“We put him on the ice today and that was a good sign, but he’s still not 100%, so I’m not sure on where we’ll be tomorrow,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “Hopefully he’ll be okay to get in there, but I’m not sure at this point.”
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