Playing the second game of a back-to-back, the Boston Bruins aimed to build on their 5-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes that had snapped a 10-game losing streak on Saturday night. Despite jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, the Bruins were outscored 6-1 over the final two periods and fell 6-3.
Joonas Korpisalo started in net for Boston, giving up five goals on 36 shots. Some of the goals were unstoppable, while others came off Buffalo breakaways in the third period. It was a tough outing for Korpisalo, who expressed his frustration after the game—with a postgame comment that left many wondering who it was aimed at.
On the second night of a back-to-back, the Boston Bruins were hoping to carry momentum from their 5-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, which had snapped a 10-game skid on Saturday night. They came out strong with a 2-0 lead after the first period, but things unraveled as they were outscored 6-1 the rest of the way, ultimately falling 6-3.
Joonas Korpisalo got the nod in goal for Boston and surrendered five goals on 36 shots. While a few were nearly impossible to stop, the third period saw him exposed on Buffalo breakaways. It was a rough outing for the netminder, who didn’t hide his frustration afterward—making a postgame comment that raised eyebrows and left many wondering who he was calling out.
Bruins goalie Joonas Korpisalo throws someone under the bus after a loss to the Sabres
Joonas Korpisalo was back in net for the first time since a March 26 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, marking his 26th appearance of the season after 12 days off. Following the game, he didn’t hold back when asked about the third-period breakaways he faced.
“There’ve been stretches where I haven’t played much,” Korpisalo said. “But that’s out of my hands. I just try to stay ready every day, and when I do get the call, I give it everything I’ve got to help the team.”
There’s no denying his effort—he gives his all when he’s between the pipes, and he’s delivered some strong outings this season. In fact, you could argue that at times the Bruins play sharper in front of him than they do for Jeremy Swayman. Not always, but there have been moments where it’s been evident.
That quote, though subtle, was clearly aimed at someone—likely the coaching staff, but possibly the front office. If it’s the latter, the comment might be a signal that he’s seeking a trade. If that’s the case, making such a move won’t be simple.
Brought in last summer as part of the Linus Ullmark trade, Korpisalo has seen a bounce-back year under the guidance of goalie coach Bob Essensa. He struggled last season in Ottawa, posting a 21-26-4 record with a 3.27 GAA and an .890 save percentage. With Boston, he’s improved slightly to 10-10-3 with a 2.98 GAA and a .891 save percentage.
If he’s pushing for more ice time, though, he may not be reading the room. With Swayman earning $8.25 million, Boston effectively ended its goalie rotation when they moved on from Ullmark. And if Korpisalo is indeed looking to be traded, that’s far easier said than done.
In an ideal world, GM Don Sweeney could explore trading Korpisalo while retaining some of his $3 million AAV, freeing up cap space for other roster needs. Promoting a cheaper backup like Michael DiPietro or Brandon Bussi could be a viable alternative.
Regardless of who Korpisalo’s comments were aimed at, they carried weight. One thing is clear: his words weren’t accidental—he was calling someone out for a reason.