Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky speaks to the media following Florida's 3-2 shootout win in Pittsburgh on Jan. 26. The Florida Panthers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in a shootout on Friday night in a game that was full of extracurricular activities. There were a total of 11 power plays handed out, eight of which went to the Penguins, but Florida’s penalty kill stood tall as it has much of this season. The Panthers went 7-for-8 on the PK, including six consecutive Pittsburgh power plays that came between the second and third periods. In a game that will likely be remembered for its physical nature and lopsided officiating, it was Florida’s goaltender who quietly stole the show. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] Sergei Bobrovsky was in the zone at PPG Paints Arena on Friday, finishing with 35 saves, his second-highest total of the season (he made 39 saves in a 5-1 win at Edmonton on Dec. 16). “I try to focus on one shot at a time, it doesn’t really matter what’s going on around me,” Bobrovsky said. “I try to be composed and stay focused and see what they throw at me.” Bobrovsky did that and then some, stopping six of the seven high danger shots Pittsburgh sent his way, according to Natural Stat Trick. “Bob has been there all year, standing on his head and helping us out when we need him,” said Panthers defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. “We know he’s a good goalie and we've built our game around him, defending hard in front of him.” That they did. Yes, Bobrovsky had to make 35 saves, but Florida also blocked another 26 Pittsburgh shot attempts. “They’re going to do everything they can in front not to let a puck come to the net,” Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said of his team’s defending. “But any team in the league, and certainly one with the skill set that (Penguins) group has, there's going to be some pucks that to get to the net that (Bobrovsky has) got to do something special with, and he was good.” Much of Bobrovsky’s hardest work came while the Panthers were killing a penalty, something that happened quite a bit during Friday’s game. Bob stopped 17 of the 18 shots he faced while Florida was shorthanded. “There were a lot of PK reps,” Bobrovsky said. “It was one of those games when the score is tight, and every moment is a big moment. I thought the guys did a great job defensively. They protected the middle very well and they let me see the puck, so it was good unit kills.” The victory was Bobrovsky’s first since Jan. 11 and improved his record to 23-10-2 on the season, which ties him with Connor Hellebuyck for third-most wins in the NHL. “He's an All-Star and he's been there all year,” said Ekman-Larsson. “He’s an unbelievable goalie.” LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Panthers survive penalty-filled matchup with Pittsburgh, win 3-2 in shootout [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-survive-penalty-filled-matchup-with-pittsburgh-win-3-2-in-shootout] Lundell, Samoskevich playing prominent roles as Panthers travel to face Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/lundell-samoskevich-playing-prominent-roles-as-panthers-travel-to-face-penguins] THN Archive: Panthers goalie masks’ place among greatest of all time [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/thn-archive-panthers-goalie-masks-place-among-greatest-of-all-time] Three takeaways: Panthers handle business, Maurice keeping Barkov and Reinhart apart, for now [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/three-takeaways-panthers-handle-business-maurice-keeping-barkov-and-reinhart-apart-for-now] Panthers demolish Coyotes 6-2 in final home game before All-Star break [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-demolish-coyotes-6-2-in-final-home-game-before-all-star-break] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
