In Joe Sacco’s first month in charge of the Bruins, they appeared to find a defensive identity. Over the past month, however, Boston’s defensive structure has completely collapsed. It’s the biggest reason this team is heading for a retool.

One of Swayman’s most notable characteristics is his complete and utter confidence, the surety he has in himself and his place in hockey. It’s something that has been the subject of countless conversations, including those he’s had with defenseman Brandon Carlo, a sounding board on the team.

When Joe Sacco changed goalies heading into the third period and the Bruins down three in Wednesday’s 5-1 loss, the natural assumption was that Boston’s interim head coach was resting Jeremy Swayman to give himself the option to start him again at home on Thursday.

The Bruins' defense continued to unravel on Wednesday, with Boston falling to the Devils, 5-1, in an uncompetitive matchup.

In a season where little has seemingly gone right for the Bruins, Jeremy Swayman is showing signs of turning a corner.

The Boston Bruins entered Wednesday night's game against the New Jersey Devils having won three of their last four games, helping to erase some of the bad feelings that stemmed from having previously

If the Bruins are going to hang on to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, Jeremy Swayman will be the reason why.

SUNRISE, Fla. — In the final seconds of overtime, after Sam Bennett was called for high-sticking Charlie McAvoy, David Pastrnak intended to send a cross-seam puck for Elias Lindholm to one-time. Pastrnak did not complete the pass. Execution was not atop the Boston Bruins’ list of accomplishments on Saturday against the Florida Panthers.

The Boston Bruins have little time to dwell on negatives. A night after the Bruins' season of ups and downs continued with a 5-1 road loss to the New Jersey Devils, Boston returns to home ice for a Thursday night matchup against the Atlantic Division rival Ottawa Senators.

The Bruins boast a minus-20 goal differential — the second-worst rate in the Eastern Conference. Boston ranks 26th in the NHL in goals scored per game (2.77), and 23rd in goals against per game (3.17).

Swayman allowed four goals on 29 shots faced before being pulled from Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Devils. Swayman departed the contest at the end of the second period and was replaced by Joonas Korpisalo,