Swayman, who anointed the franchise on the eve of the regular season with his eight-year, $66 million deal, was given the start Saturday after suffering back-to-back thumping in which he yielded 12 goals.

He made the decision look like genius as he stopped 19 of 20 shots to earn a 2-1 victory. The win moved Swayman to 6-7-2 on the season in 15 starts.

“It was a short road to get here,” Swayman said after the win, first noting that he felt better about his play overall. “Bob (Essensagoalkeeping coach) and I have had some elite training days which have allowed me to get my results back, and we will continue to do so. It starts in practice.”

The five plays he allowed against the Blue Jackets on Monday were one of the club’s worst defensive efforts Don Sweeneyyears as general manager (since 2015) – undoubtedly played a role in the decision to dismiss Jim Montgomery.

Backup Joonas Korpisalo got the start in Sacco’s debut, a 1-0 win over Utah on Thursday. The agile Finnish stopper went 21 for 21 against the popgun Hockey Club attack. The team from Salt Lake City was lacking in terms of offensive pepper, and the stingy Bruins provided one Elias Lindholm power-play goal to their ninth victory in 21 games.

Korpisalo is 3-0-1 in November, and had he been the club’s No. 1 pick, he would most likely have gotten the start against the distant sons of Gordie Howe. But ‘Sway’ was the way to go.

“Like I said,” Sacco offered, referring to Swayman, “if we are better for him defensively, like we were for Korpy last game, then it will make his job easier.”

Sacco’s attacks paid off, killing all four of Detroit’s power plays, including one in the final 1:22 when the hosts deployed the extra attacker for a 6-on-4 advantage.

“I’m happy with his reaction,” Sacco said of Swayman’s postgame. “I think it’s only a matter of time before Sway starts finding his feet consistently.”

Impactful returns

Marc McLaughlincalled up by AHL Providence on Friday, Sacco’s choice was to stay out as he said Tyler Johnson back in the lineup. Johnson took his place on Thursday in favor of Georgii Merkulovthat was rolled back to Providence to make room for McLaughlin, the ex-BC kingpin.

Johnson opened the evening on the left wing with a trio with centre Charlie Coyle and winger Trent Frederikwho scored two goals in the 3-2 overtime loss to St. Louis last Saturday. And Johnson delivered and got an assist Justin Brazeau‘s power play is 8:33 into the game.

“I’m just trying to get into the spirit of it,” Johnson noted. “Playing with Freddy and Coyle, good players. . . When I faced them last game, we did pretty well.”

Simplicity, noted Johnson, a two-time Cup winner with Tampa, was the best chance for success.

“I mean, Freddy and Coyle are hard on pucks,” he said. “If we can get things above and around the net, behind the net, they’re both very good at protecting. I think that’s our most important thing. We just have to get into the offensive zone, use our forecheck, use our system and just trust each other. Once you’ve done that, take a few point shots.

“I like to say we’re three big bodies – OK, maybe only two or two and a half – but if we can get to the net, I think that’s important.”

Johnson, just 6-foot-4, was ready for his 744th NHL regular-season game. He has 193 goals and 432 career points.

Props for young guns

Merkulov, Sacco said, showed some notable “spurts and moments” in his three games with the varsity, picking up his first NHL point (an assist).

The decision to send him back to Providence, the coach said, was based on him wanting to get more ice time, in more situations, and improve without the puck.

“Certainly,” Sacco added, “he did some good things while he was here.”

McLaughlin, while a press box observer here, has shown some scoring prowess lately with Providence, going 5-5-10 in 15 games there this season.

“He deserves the opportunity,” Sacco said. “He played his role there as a third and fourth line man well. . . kill penalties, do good defensive work and do responsible work. That’s why he’s here now.”

Is Zachah the answer?

Merkulov entered Thursday’s game working up front on the No. 1 power-play unit, but Sacco ultimately switched Pavel Zacha in that spot, an adjustment the coach liked. The man advantage was 1 for 7 vs. Utah, but the one was the eventual game winner. In Detroit, the Bruins were 1 vs. 2 on the power play. . . Fourth line center Mark Kastelic entered the evening with 79 hits and was at number 4 in the rankings. He added two more on Saturday. . . The Bruins are off Sunday and tune into Brighton on Monday before Tuesday’s visit by the Canucks.

Kevin Paul Dupont can be reached at [email protected].