Joonas Korpisalo is stepping into the spotlight at just the right time.
Fresh off being named to Finland’s Olympic roster as an injury replacement, Korpisalo will get the nod in net for the Bruins’ final game before the extended Olympic break. It’s a well-earned opportunity for the veteran netminder, who’s been dialed in throughout January, going 4-0-1 and giving the Bruins steady, confident play between the pipes.
Wednesday night’s matchup in Sunrise against the Florida Panthers (7 p.m. ET, TNT) carries weight for both teams - and not just because it’s the last one before the pause.
For Boston, it’s a chance to bank two more points and create some breathing room in the wild card race. For Florida, it’s about survival.
Bruins head coach Marco Sturm explained the decision to go with Korpisalo over Jeremy Swayman, who started the high-profile outdoor game over the weekend.
“Swayman was really good, and we obviously wanted him in that outdoor game,” Sturm said. “But this one’s a little different.
We’ve got the Olympics coming up, and he’s probably thinking about that, too. Korpi’s been playing really well, and Swayman had already played three in a row.
There’s a lot that goes into it. We hope Korpi’s the right guy tonight.”
The Bruins will roll out the same lineup they used in Sunday’s Stadium Series game - still without their top two centers, Elias Lindholm and Pavel Zacha. That’s a big hole down the middle, but Boston has managed to stay afloat. They currently hold the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with a five-point cushion over a trio of teams - Columbus, Toronto, and Washington.
Meanwhile, the Panthers are in a tailspin. The two-time defending Stanley Cup champs have dropped four straight and are just 4-6 in their last 10.
They’re nine points behind the Bruins and in danger of slipping further out of the playoff picture. A loss to Boston tonight could deliver another serious blow to their postseason hopes.
Florida will be missing former Bruins captain Brad Marchand, but they’re getting some key reinforcements. Sam Bennett, who exited their last game with an injury, is expected to return, as is Anton Lundell.
This is a classic late-season tone-setter. One team trying to solidify their spot, the other trying to keep their season from spiraling. And Sturm knows exactly what kind of challenge lies ahead.
“I see them as champions,” he said of the Panthers. “Doesn’t matter how they’ve been playing.
We’re going to treat it like a big game. These are huge points before the break.”
With Korpisalo riding a hot hand and Boston looking to close out this stretch strong, tonight’s clash in Sunrise has all the makings of a statement game.