Bruins
“I’m sure warmups will be packed, and it’s going to be a sea of blue.”
TD Garden will host one of the most anticipated hockey games in recent memory Thursday night when Team USA and Canada clash in the championship game of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
As evidenced by Monday’s atmosphere in a matchup between the U.S. and Sweden, Causeway Street will be rocking on Thursday, with international bragging rights up for grabs.
But that raucous atmosphere won’t come as much of a surprise for Jeremy Swayman, who has seen the Bruins’ home barn surge with excitement over several seasons now.
“I’m pretty spoiled,” Swayman said Wednesday of the expected atmosphere on Thursday. “We have it every night here in Boston, but I think it’ll be a similar atmosphere, definitely a playoff atmosphere.
“And I’m sure warmups will be packed, and it’s going to be a sea of blue. So I’m excited for that, and it’s gonna be really exciting for all these guys in this locker room to experience what Boston brings and the energy and the hockey culture here.”
Swayman, one of three goaltenders currently on Team USA’s roster, has not logged any minutes so far during the 4 Nations tournament. Connor Hellebuyck is expected to get the start for Thursday’s bout against Canada.
But, the 26-year-old Bruins netminder has relished the opportunity to play alongside a U.S. roster that is looking to beat Canada for the second time in less than a week.
“Extremely beneficial to my game, and just see how the top dogs in this league and the world for that matter, prepare, recover, and treat themselves during the season to prepare to be successful every single night,” Swayman said of what he’s gained from this experience during the tournament. “So it’s been a pretty enriching experience for myself — just asking questions, obviously creating some great bonds and going through this tournament. So I know it’s completely re-energized me, and I’m excited to keep building on it.”
While Swayman and the rest of the Americans brace for Thursday’s matchup, his Bruins teammate Charlie McAvoy will not play on Thursday. The veteran defenseman is hospitalized while being treated for both an infection and a “significant” AC joint injury suffered earlier during tournament play.
With McAvoy on the mend, Swayman offered his best wishes to his teammate, who played a significant role in Team USA’s win over Canada on Saturday night in Montreal.
“He’s an assistant captain — a leader for this team and our team in Boston,” Swayman said of McAvoy. “So all we can hope for is the best and a speedy recovery. Health is a priority. … So I know that we got an incredible training staff, medical staff in Boston. So we’re very lucky and we’re in good hands. Just wish him the best and hope he gets back soon.”
The injury bug is stinging Team USA at the worst time, with McAvoy ruled out and reigning Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes also not cleared to join the national team before Thursday’s game due to a nagging injury.
But in Swayman’s eyes, Team USA has more than enough talent in place on their roster to withstand the offensive firepower of a Canadian team anchored by Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Sidney Crosby.
“It’s hard to replace his game because he’s such an incredible player and impactful player,” Swayman said of McAvoy. “But we’re fortunate to have incredible players on this team that are waiting in the wings and know that it’s a next-man-up mentality.
“And we got the group to do it and we have confidence in every guy in this room that will take the role and make sure that he does his part to help this team be successful.”
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