May 5, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during a break in the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs during game one of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a0a0ba4f-f806-4423-b77c-f62b1657ec27.jpeg] May 5, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during a break in the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs during game one of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images) It’s been a rough start to the second round for Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Over the past few postseasons, Bobrovsky has consistently been a source of stability for a Panthers team that, at times, has really leaned on their netminder. He was solid between the pipes during Florida’s five-game, opening round victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, allowing more than three goals only once and picking up a shutout in Game 2. It’s been a different story for Bob so far during round two. In two losses to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Bobrovsky has allowed nine goals on just 50 shots, and what really stings is that despite giving up all those goals, both of Florida’s losses were only by one. Looking a little deeper, he’s faced 14 high danger shots in the two games, stopping 10 of them, which isn’t great but hey, these are the best shots that Toronto has thrown Bob’s way. One that that is troubling is that Bob has allowed more low danger goals against (3) than medium danger goals against (2), despite facing less low danger shots than medium danger shots. This also isn’t ideal: In Game 2, Bobrovsky allowed four goals on just 20 shots, on a night where his expected goals against was 1.62. In Game 1, he allowed five goals on 30 shots, and his expected goals against still just only 3.19. The team should be better in front of him, but Bobrovsky is allowing goals on shots that don’t usually get past him. Across the board, the Panthers will be looking to improve heading into Game 3, but it needs to start with their goaltender. For what it’s worth, Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice has full confidence that Bobrovsky can bounce back, because he’s seen him persevere time and again over the past three playoff runs. “The goalie is going to be fine,” said Maurice. “I didn’t love his first game, but I thought up until the fourth (goal), I don’t look at him for any of the first three. We haven’t given up a tremendous amount tonight, but the danger on the rush is significant.” A big game from Bobrovsky on Friday night will go a long way toward Florida staying alive against the Maple Leafs. If not, they’ll face a near insurmountable deficit that Panthers fans should be very familiar with. Game 3 is set for Friday at 7 p.m. in Sunrise. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Panthers come up short in Game 2, fall into 0-2 hole against Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-come-up-short-in-game-2-fall-into-0-2-hole-against-maple-leafs] Panthers' Aaron Ekblad Opens Up About Brandon Hagel Hit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-aaron-ekblad-opens-up-about-brandon-hagel-hit] Rookie Mackie Samoskevich slots back into Panthers lineup for Game 2 in Toronto [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/rookie-mackie-samoskevich-slots-back-into-panthers-lineup-for-game-2-in-toronto] Panthers Star Needs Big Bounce-Back Game Against Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-star-needs-big-bounce-back-game-against-maple-leafs] Panthers enter Game 2 in Toronto aiming for split after dropping series opener [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-enter-game-2-in-toronto-aiming-for-split-after-dropping-series-opener]
