Taking a look at the matchup between Golden Knights goalie Adin Hill vs. Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky
One is a $10 million goalie, the other is on his third team in six NHL seasons. On paper, it seems like the Florida Panthers have a clear advantage in net based on reputation and contract status alone over the Vegas Golden Knights.
There is no denying that Sergei Bobrovski is having the run of a lifetime in these playoffs. He’s been thrilling and one of the main reasons why the Panthers are also four wins away from hoisting the Stanley Cup.
Bobrovski has an absurd .952 save percentage in these playoffs and has a 1.52 goals-against average in 5-on-5 play. He has an .894 save percentage against high-danger chances, allowing 11 high-danger goals.
But is he a clear advantage over Adin Hill?
Let’s start with the negative: Hill is in his first playoffs and does not have the same proven track record of the two-time Veniza Trophy winner. There is always that foreboding thought that, at any point, that Hill reverts back to the player who didn’t even start the season as the No. 1 goalie.
Vegas’s layered defensive system, however, protects its goaltender. Add in the Golden Knights’ propensity to block shots, Hill is only expected to make the timely save. When Vegas’s defense is doing its job, it makes Hill’s job significantly easier.
That’s not to discount Hill in these playoffs. He’s done his fair share of making incredible saves at timely moments.
Hill was outstanding against the Dallas Stars and is easily playing the best hockey of his young career. He’s a smidge below Bobrovski’s save percentage (.951) and goals-against average (1.58) in five-on-five play. He’s saving 87 percent of high-danger chances and allowed seven high-danger goals.
Pure numbers wise, the goalies are near dead even.
The question: Are there enough games remaining in the season for the difference in experience to make a difference? Both goalies are riding hot streaks, but naturally you want to trust the one who has the pedigree rather than the one-off.
So who holds the advantage in this case? While Hill has been excellent, the edge marginally falls to Bobrovski. In games where the margins are thin, go with experience.