Montgomery: Swayman might be in Maple Leafs' heads

Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery took a shot at Max Domi and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.

Montgomery didn't hold back when asked if he believes Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman's success against the Maple Leafs is an indication he's in their heads.

"Sometimes I don't think that, but when Domi goes off the bench and bumps him on purpose, it makes me think that maybe he's in their head a little bit," the Boston bench boss said.

Domi and Swayman made contact during a break in the action Wednesday night in the Bruins' 4-2 victory, which gave them a 2-1 series lead.

Max Domi and Jeremy Swayman collide during the TV timeout pic.twitter.com/wblserUTss

- Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 25, 2024

Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe fired back at Montgomery later Thursday when informed of his counterpart's comments.

"With that logic, you would say every time they bump into one of our guys, maybe we're in their heads," Keefe said. "I don't think that has anything to do with anything."

Swayman improved to 5-0-0 against the Leafs this season. He's allowed only three goals on 66 shots for a .955 save percentage in the two games he's started in the series.

The Bruins have alternated goaltenders all season, including in the playoffs, so Linus Ullmark would normally start the next one. But the additional day off before Game 4 in Toronto on Saturday might lead Montgomery to deviate from his usual strategy.

"We're going to have more rest, but ... the rotation's been so good for us, so it's a hard decision," he said.

That game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday.

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