After a successful first season in North America with Providence (AHL), Simon Zajicek has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract extension to remain in Boston's organization. The 24-year-old thrived as a backup in Providence through 21 appearances last season as shown by his 14-6-1 record, .915 SV% and 2.44 GAA.
Mutter started the 2025-26 season in the Nashville organization, but was traded to Boston on March 12th. He spent the entire year in the AHL, where he had one goal and one assist in 39 games, including one goal in 12 games after joining Providence.
Reichel, the 17th-overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, has had trouble becoming a permanent fixture at the NHL level and was traded twice in the 2025-26 season. That said, he seemed to have found a role late in the season after joining the Boston Bruins, scoring three points (1G / 2A) in 10 games, earning himself a one-year contract extension.
The Bruins fell behind 1-0 early in a must-win Game Five when Swayman allowed a goal in the opening minutes, but shut the door the rest of the way, saving 25 of 26 shots (.962 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime win to force a Game Six. The 27-year-old Swayman has a 2.87 GAA and .910 SV% through five games this postseason (2-3). The Bruins hope to force a Game Seven, entering Game Six on Friday as slight +104 home underdogs.
After serving as a scratch in each of the first four games of the series, Eyssimont will make his 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs debut on Tuesday. Eyssimont appeared in 56 regular season games for the Bruins, tallying eight goals and ten assists.
Steeves will make his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut as the Bruins hope to keep the series alive in Buffalo on Tuesday. Steeves appeared in 43 regular season games with the Bruins, tallying nine goals and seven assists.
Reichel will take a seat on Tuesday as the Bruins aim to shake things up ahead of a must-win game in Buffalo. Reichel saw 13:51 of ice time in Game 4 and registered a -2 rating.
Zadorov was a game-time decision heading into Game Four on Sunday, but ended up playing in the blowout 6-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, recording four hits and 17 penalty minutes in 19:20 time-on-ice. The hard-hitting 31-year-old defenseman is likely battling the same ailment he has had over the past week, making his status uncertain again for Game Five on Tuesday.
Despite a poor showing in Game 4, the Bruins will stick with Swayman between the pipes with their season on the line on Tuesday. Swayman was tagged for six goals on 29 shots in the eventual 6-1 defeat, and was pulled with 14 minutes remaining in favour of back-up goaltender Joonas Korpisalo. The Bruins will hope Swayman can recapture the form he flashed in the opening three games of the series when he posted a .931 SV%. Swayman and the Bruins enter Tuesday's must-win game at +135 on the money line.
Jordan Harris will be a healthy scratch in Game Five, allowing Jokiharju to enter the lineup for his postseason debut. The 26-year-old Jokiharju averaged 17:48 time-on-ice and scored 15 points (2G / 13A) in 41 games this season.
Henri Jokiharju will draw into Boston's lineup on Tuesday for Game Five, sending Harris to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Harris made his postseason debut in Sunday's 6-1 Game Four loss to the Buffalo Sabres, recording a -2 plus/minus in 13:37 time-on-ice.
Zadorov was a game-time decision heading into Game Four on Sunday, but ended up playing in the blowout 6-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, recording four hits and 17 penalty minutes in 19:20 time-on-ice. The hard-hitting 31-year-old defenseman is likely battling the same ailment he has had over the past week, making his status uncertain again for Game Five on Tuesday.
Swayman has been outstanding through three games this postseason, boasting an impressive 2.38 GAA and .931 SV%, but finds himself in a 2-1 series deficit against the Buffalo Sabres. The Bruins enter Game Four as -117 home favourites.
Lohrei has struggled mightily in Boston's opening three games to start the playoffs and is expected to head to the press box for Game 4 vs. Buffalo as Jordan Harris enters the lineup. Lohrei appeared in 73 regular season games for the Bruins but has been battling throughout the playoffs with zero points, and a -4 plus/minus despite averaging 14:14 TOI per game.
Boston finds themselves down 2-1 in their opening series vs. Buffalo and will bring Jordan Harris into the lineup Sunday as a replacement for the struggling Mason Lohrei. Harris appeared in only eight games for the Bruins during the regular season, picking up a goal, three points and 12 SOG.
With Boston down 2-1 in their opening series to Buffalo, it appears they will shake up the lineup as Lukas Reichel is expected to take the spot of James Hagens for Game 3 on Sunday. The 23-year-old speedster appeared in 29 games this season between Chicago, Vancouver and Boston and pick up three goals and eight points.
Hagens playoff debut has started with three scoreless games and has led to Lukas Reichel expected to replace him in Boston's lineup for Game 4 vs. Buffalo. The 19-year-old Hagens joined the Bruins after a strong season at Boston College (NCAA) and has one assist in five appearances with the Bruins across regular season and the playoffs.
Swayman has been within eight minutes of recording a shutout in both games to start the series, but he only has a 1-1 record to show for it. The 27-year-old American goalie has saved 67 of 72 shots (.931 SV%), continuing a trend of exceptional postseason performances. Through 22 career postseason outings (10-11), Swayman has a solid 2.40 GAA and .923 SV%. The Bruins enter Game Three against the Buffalo Sabres with even -105 odds.
Sweezey is an undrafted 30-year-old defenseman that spent the entire 2025-26 season in the AHL, where he scored 17 points (1G / 16A) in 69 games with the Providence Bruins. His only NHL appearance was as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2022-23 season, scoring one assist in nine games.
