Sergei Bobrovsky heading to NHL All-Star Game in Toronto, voted in by fans
Paul Maurice could still end up an All-Star coach, though he may prefer to stay in South Florida
There will be a pair of Florida Panthers players at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto.
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has been selected to participate in the All-Star Game, joining Panthers teammate Sam Reinhart, who was named an all-star for the first time last week.
Bobrovsky will be making his third all-star appearance thanks to the NHL All-Star Fan Vote, which selected the final eight skaters and four goalies in the annual showcase of superstars.
“Sergei has been the pinnacle of consistency this season for our team, an exemplary veteran presence in net who has been a true difference maker night in and night out,” Panthers General Manager Bill Zito said in a statement released by the team. “Panthers fans made their voices heard, and we are thrilled for him to join Sam Reinhart as ambassadors for our organization in Toronto at the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend.”
Entering play Saturday, Bobrovsky holds a 21-9-1 record to go with a 2.43 goals against average, .913 save percentage and two shutouts.
He ranks second in the NHL in wins and, among goaltenders with at least 20 appearances, is fourth in goals against average and eighth in save percentage.
Bobrovsky is currently riding a seven-game winning streak and holds a stellar 12-3-0 record since Nov. 27.
Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice may join Bobrovsky and Reinhart in Toronto, depending how the standings look at the end of the day.
The coach of the team leading the Atlantic Division will coach at the All-Star Game. Florida is one point behind Boston at the top of the division and both teams play Saturday: the Bruins are in St. Louis while Florida hosts the New Jersey Devils.
Speaking about it on Saturday morning, Maurice certainly implied that he’d rather not participate.
It sounds like there are some equally enticing events happening right here in South Florida that Maurice wouldn’t mind attending instead of flying to Toronto in February.
“If I’m lucky, there will be some fishing involved,” Maurice said of his All-Star Break plans. “This is going to sound funny. Fort Lauderdale Greek Festival February first to the fourth, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church is in Victoria Park, and I am going to eat there for four straight days. I have the green light to put on 20 (pounds). The food is that good there.”
Maurice then paused, smiled and tilted his head back, seemingly imaging the cuisine he could be sampling in a few weeks.
“That’s the hope,” he said. “Fingers crossed. Florida Panthers win, everything sorts itself out. Souvlaki.’’
To be fair, Maurice also mentioned that the All-Star Game an event very much centered around the players, and deservedly so.
“It is an All-Star Game for the guys. Every player that you can get to go, their families all go, it’s a big deal for the players. It really is. You’d like, then, as many of your guys (to go), especially (because) then they get to go as a team. They get to go together."
“It’s a wonderful weekend," he added.
Being in Toronto, the All-Star Game should be quite a spectacle.
One that Maurice hopes to be watching from his couch, with a belly full of Greek delicacies.
NHL All-Star Weekend begins Thursday, Feb. 1 with the player draft, followed by the Skills Competition on Friday and the big game on Saturday afternoon.
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