Erstwhile holdout Jeremy Swayman gets start in net against Montreal in Bruins’ home opener

BOSTON (AP) — Jeremy Swayman made his season debut for the Boston Bruins in their home opener on Thursday night, just four days after signing a new $66 million contract and three after his first practice with the team.

Swayman was in net against the Montreal Canadiens. Backup Joonas Korpisalo played and gave up six goals in Tuesday’s season-opening 6-4 loss to the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, who have ousted Boston from the playoffs in each of the last two seasons.

Swayman was the backup to Linus Ullmark in Boston’s record-setting 2022-23 season; the two alternated last year, when Swayman made 43 starts in the regular season with a 2.53 goals-against average before winning the No. 1 job in the playoffs.

A restricted free agent, Swayman had missed all of training camp before agreeing to an eight-year deal for $8.25 million per year that puts him in the top five goalies in the NHL for average annual value.