Bobrovsky is playing himself into Conn Smythe Trophy consideration
There is no question that what the Florida Panthers have done during the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs has been remarkable.
Florida was the last team to punch its ticket to the postseason, entering the tournament as the eight-seed in a stacked Eastern Conference.
It was a hot goalie, 30-year-old AHL veteran Alex Lyon, who stepped in for a sick Sergei Bobrovsky and helped carry Florida into the playoffs over the final weeks of the regular season.
Bobrovsky has since reclaimed his net and is playing some of the best hockey of his career, a career that includes of pair of Vezina Trophy wins.
His clutch play in big moments has propelled the Panthers to the conference finals. Bobrovsky was particularly brilliant during Game 5 in Toronto, turning aside 50 shots in the series-clinching victory.
“Bob was unbelievable once again,” Panthers captain Sasha Barkov said afterward. “He gave us a chance.”
During the five games against Toronto, Bobrovsky stopped 164 of 174 shots for a .942 save percentage to go with a tidy 1.89 goals against average.
Those are elite numbers.
As great as Bobrovsky has been playing, he’s the first one to point out that it’s been a collaborative effort between goaltender and teammates.
Over the past few weeks, Florida’s play in front of Bobrovsky has sharpened significantly compared to much of the regular season.
One of the biggest weaknesses in Bobrovsky’s game has been his rebound control.
It’s an area he’s still struggling with, but Florida’s improved play is mitigating the damage as Panthers players have been quick to get to loose pucks around the crease. It’s a combination of being more positionally aware and having the ability to anticipate instead of react.
“They clean up in front of the net very well, they block shots at the right time, they allow me to see the puck and control the puck,” Bobrovsky said. “We're definitely in it together, and it's fun to be part of this locker room.”
It’s no secret that Bobrovsky is one of the hardest working goaltenders in the league. His routines are as detailed and well thought out as they are important to his success.
That’s probably why Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice believes that Bob’s improved play has more to do with something mental instead of anything physical.
“I think what you're seeing is a confident Sergei Bobrovsky,” said Maurice. “He's the reason we're winning. Sergei knows that he’s come back in and every night he's been the best goalie.”
It makes you wonder where Bobrovsky is generating all this inner positivity.
He’s not one to look back on past performances to build himself up, or to visualize future success as a form of inspiration.
It’s important for Bob to stay present and only fixate on what’s right in front of him.
“You don't really think big right now,” he said. “You just really stay in the moment, really focused on the moment, and you don't think about what's happened or what's going to happen.”
So far during the playoffs Bobrovsky has played in 10 games, starting Florida’s past nine.
After losing his first start, Game 4 against Boston, Bobrovsky has been nearly lights out. He’s won seven of eight, and has done so being nearly unbeatable when Florida has played at even strength.
During the playoffs, Bob’s 5-on-5 save percentage is .940 and his goals against average is just 1.87 while his expected goals against is nearly a goal higher at 2.77. Oh, and his goals saved above average is an impressive 5.90.
Elite.
“It's great to have a guy like that in the net, he gives you a lot of confidence,” said Barkov. “Obviously you don't want to have any breakdowns, but when those happen or they get a good chance to score, Bob is always there for us. He gives us a chance to win every night and that's all we can ask for.”
Bobrovsky’s synergy with his teammates has made him the hottest goaltender in the playoffs, and the Panthers are reaping the benefits.
As long as Bob continues to perform at the level he’s been at during the postseason, it’s not crazy to start thinking of words like Stanley Cup or Conn Smythe.
“I'm enjoying the moment with the guys,” Bobrovsky said. “It's a privilege for me to compete with those guys, shoulder to shoulder, and go through those overtimes and those adversities, and it’s also a privilege to enjoy these moments with the guys.”