For much of last season, the Bruins never had a clear-cut number one goalie. Often head coach Bruce Cassidy would split starts between Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman, riding the hot hand anytime one took a step forward.

Neither ran away with the job.

Entering the 2022-23 season, that had not changed. New head coach Jim Montgomery was following Cassidy’s steps, not appointing either goalie with the title of number one goalie.

Sure, you can say Ullmark entered the season with a leg up in the conversation, his start on opening night further evidence of that. But by no means was the job secured.

Feel as you may about titles and what they mean, but through five games it’s clear that the net should be Ullmark’s.

Look no further than Thursday’s 2-1 shootout victory over the Anaheim Ducks.

For the first time in five games the Bruins failed to score five or more goals, finally relying on defense and goaltending to win them a hockey game.

Ullmark shouldered the task, making 24 saves in an outstanding effort.

The highlight of Ullmark’s night came in overtime. After Matt Grzelcyk and Patrice Bergeron collided in the offensive zone, the Ducks broke in transition 3-on-0. Forward Ryan Strome eventually separated himself from the group, racing in on a breakaway, two Ducks trailing.

“Just make another save. That’s the only thing going through my mind,” Montgomery said of the play. “Not only did he make the save, but he cleared the rebound to the corner.”

The save kept the Bruins alive, eventually sending the game to a shootout where Ullmark would make three stops before Taylor Hall put the Bruins ahead. Ullmark would close the book on a spectacular night with a stop on Max Comtois to secure the win, his third of the season.

"Terrific,” Montgomery said of Ullmark’s night. “He gave us an opportunity to get two points. He's done it every night he's been in the net, and he's had a great start to the year."

Now the question becomes how much of the work does Ullmark get while he’s riding this hot streak. Swayman’s start to the season has been slow, allowing nine goals on 49 shots, a 5.40 goals-against average through two games.

He was pulled after two periods in Ottawa.

For Swayman to work things out and get back to his game, he will need to do so in game action which of course, in turn means Ullmark to the bench.

Swayman’s six allowed goals in Ottawa was not entirely his fault, the Bruins were downright awful in front of him. Swayman however, did himself no favors.

“We were on the wrong side of pucks. We weren't coming back hard enough. We left our goalie out to dry,” Montgomery said after Tuesday’s loss. “We didn't protect the netfront.”

While Charlie McAvoy and Brad Marchand remain out—Grzelcyk returned Thursday—earning every point they can is extremely important.

The Bruins won’t score five goals a night, they’re going to need nights like Thursday from their goaltenders.

“We've played three games now and it's been working well. What is it? 78 of them left? So there's gonna be ups and downs. We can't take anything for granted,” Ullmark said.

“It could have easily been a 2-1 loss today if we didn't have Lady Luck on our side. We could have won 5-0. You never know in this league. You got to be prepared to go to battle every single night."

The Bruins have indeed been battling, better results with Ullmark in net. Swayman needs to find his game again, but right now, Ullmark is the Bruins best option in net.

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