The Olympic men’s hockey tournament has given Bruins fans plenty to chew on - and not all of it’s been easy to digest. With several Boston players representing their countries on the international stage, we’ve seen a mixed bag of performances, roles, and results. Let’s break it all down, starting with the man between the pipes for Team USA.
Swayman’s Rocky Start, Resilient Finish
Jeremy Swayman finally got the Olympic start he’d been waiting for, suiting up for Team USA against Denmark. And while the Americans came away with the win, it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing for the Bruins netminder.
Swayman gave up three goals on 21 shots, and by the end of the first period, Team USA found itself trailing 2-1. One of those goals?
A long-distance shot from just inside center ice - the kind of fluky bounce that ends up on highlight reels for all the wrong reasons. It’s the type of goal that stays with a goalie, especially on a stage like this.
Swayman addressed the mishap postgame, explaining that he lost the puck in a flash screen - a tough break, but one he owned up to.
“It was just the perfect height, right between the stands and board level. I truly lost it,” Swayman said.
“Definitely one I want back, but at the same time, especially at this level, you’ve got to stay even keeled. It’s one shot at a time.”
And to his credit, he did just that. After a shaky opening 20 minutes, Swayman regrouped and locked things down for the final two periods, allowing Team USA’s offense to take over and pull away from Denmark. It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win - and a reminder that even when things start rough, resilience matters.
Still, with a critical matchup against Germany looming and the top seed in Pool C on the line, don’t be surprised if Team USA turns to Connor Hellebuyck for the next game. The Americans will want a sharper start, and Hellebuyck’s been steady so far in the tournament.
McAvoy Brings the Bite for Team USA
While Swayman had an up-and-down night, Charlie McAvoy continued to do what he does best: play heavy, effective hockey on the back end. The Bruins’ top defenseman logged 21:35 of ice time, finished with a plus-1 rating, and didn’t shy away from the physical side of the game. He’s been a tone-setter for Team USA, bringing that familiar edge and defensive reliability that Bruins fans have come to expect.
Sweden’s Lineup Shuffle Leaves Lindholm Watching
Team Sweden’s Olympic campaign has been a bit of a rollercoaster, and Saturday’s 5-3 win over Slovakia was no exception. Sweden needed to win by at least three goals to take Group B - and while they got the victory, the margin wasn’t enough. As a result, Slovakia won the group and secured an automatic berth in the medal round.
For the Bruins’ Swedish contingent, it was a mixed night. Elias Lindholm was a surprise scratch, while Hampus Lindholm dressed but didn’t see the ice once as Sweden’s seventh defenseman. That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially for a player looking to make an impact after waiting his turn in the early games.
Meanwhile, Sweden leaned heavily on their offensive stars, with Lucas Raymond and Elias Pettersson leading the charge. But without that crucial three-goal cushion, Sweden now faces a tougher road through the knockout stage.
Pastrnak Powers Czechia
If there’s one Bruins player who’s thriving under the Olympic spotlight, it’s David Pastrnak. The Czech winger continues to be a driving force for a strong Czechia squad, helping them to a win over France on Friday night with a goal and an assist.
Pastrnak’s setup on Martin Nečas’ one-timer to open the scoring was vintage No. 88 - slick, creative, and perfectly timed. He finished the night with a plus-1 rating and a couple of shots on goal in just under 20 minutes of ice time. It was a strong bounce-back showing after Czechia took a beating from Team Canada in their tournament opener.
For Bruins fans, watching Pastrnak team up with Nečas might sting just a bit - especially considering the rumors that swirled a couple of seasons ago when Nečas was reportedly on the trade block. That duo could’ve been electric in Boston black and gold. But for now, Pastrnak is doing what he does best: lighting it up on the international stage.
As the Olympic tournament heads into its final stretch, Bruins players are finding themselves in all kinds of roles - from top-line leaders to healthy scratches. It’s a reminder of just how deep and talented this Boston roster is, and how international play can bring out both the best and the bumps in even the most seasoned NHLers.
One thing’s for sure: Bruins fans will be watching closely as the medal rounds approach. Whether it’s redemption, resurgence, or riding momentum, there’s still plenty of Olympic hockey left to play.