Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky speaks to the media following Florida's 5-1 win over Montreal on Nov. 30. The Florida Panthers have been the recipients of some excellent goaltending this season, whether it be from starter Sergei Bobrovsky or backup Anthony Stolarz. Regardless of which tendy gets called upon to guard the net on a given night, Florida has been able to count on strong, consistent play between the pipes. Last month, however, Bobrovsky seemed to really find a groove. He started 11 of Florida’s 15 games over the 30 days of November, leading the NHL in wins with eight. Bob also logged a pair of shutouts, both coming on the road – one in Detroit and the other in Ottawa – which tied him for most in the league last month. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] The two shutouts are also more than he had all of last season (one shutout in 49 starts). Overall, Bobrovsky turned in an 8-3-0 record to go with a tidy .918 save percentage and 2.11 goals against average last month. Speaking after his win on Thursday in Montreal, Bobrovsky was quick to credit his teammates for the work they do in front of him. “We play our game. We stay consistent with our game,” Bobrovsky said. “We don't overthink, we just do our structure, over and over, again and again, and rely on it and trust each other to do that.” Florida has been operating Paul Maurice’s defensive systems at a much more efficient rate in year two under the veteran head coach, with the results speaking for themselves. Entering play Saturday, the Panthers surrender the fourth-fewest goals per game in the NHL (2.48) while allowing the third-fewest shots on goal (27.6). That has helped Bobrovsky earn an 11-6-1 record so far this season, along with a .912 save percentage and 2.41 goals against average. Considering how steady Bob has been patrolling the net, and how consistent the defending in front of him has been, he may very well remain among the NHL’s top goaltenders this season. “We have good communication,” Bobrovsky said of Florida’s team defense. “The guys help me a lot, allow me to see the puck, great box out, block shots when it’s needed, good sticks. They keep the shots on the outside a lot, too.” The Panthers have only recently begun operating at full strength, following the returns of defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour after both missed the first 16 games of the season recovering from respective summer shoulder surgeries. It would appear that, as good as Florida's start to the season has gone, there may still be better times ahead. The way Bobrovsky and Stolarz have played in goal, and how the team has performed in front of them, it seems the sky is the limit for these Panthers. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Coming off strong November, Panthers open homestand against erratic Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/coming-off-strong-november-panthers-open-homestand-against-erratic-islanders] Panthers loan defenseman Uvis Balinskis to AHL's Charlotte Checkers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-loan-defenseman-uvis-balinskis-to-ahls-charlotte-checkers] NHL Power Rankings: Where Panthers stack up at quarter mark of season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/nhl-power-rankings-where-panthers-stack-up-at-quarter-mark-of-season-] Three takeaways: Panthers successful road trip result of strong goaltending, confident penalty kill [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/three-takeaways-panthers-successful-road-trip-result-of-strong-goaltending-confident-penalty-kill] Barkov, Panthers wrap up successful road trip with 5-1 win in Montreal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/barkov-panthers-wrap-up-successful-road-trip-with-5-1-win-in-montreal] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
