Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky is making history in the Stanley Cup Final 

Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was the story of their playoff success in 2023. Without his elite play, the Panthers do not find themselves in the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights.

During these playoffs, Florida has been much better and far less of a Cinderella team. They earned their spot in the Final and they deserve to be up 2-0 in the series as it shifts back to Edmonton for Game 3. 

But while Bobrovsky has not needed to be as heroic during the playoff run, he has still been called on to make that save in the key moments. And he has delivered. 

Bobrovsky has allowed one goal in the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final. That is fourth in NHL history (modern era), behind only Chris Osgood (2008), Martin Brodeur (2003) and Frank McCool (1945). As if that is not impressive enough, he has done it against Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers. 

In Game 1, Bobrovsky played hero. Edmonton outshot Florida 32-18, including a 25-12 edge through two periods. Bobrovsky had an answer for each and every one, stopping all 32 shots for a 3-0 shutout victory and 1-0 series lead. 

In Game 2, he was not tested nearly as much and even allowed a fairly soft goal on a 2-on-1 from Mattias Ekholm in the first period. Although he did have Draisaitl to worry about on the other side.

After that, the Panthers locked it down defensively and held the Oilers to only 19 shots, just seven through 40 minutes. But when Bobrovsky was needed, he once again found a way to deliver. 

Stopping McDavid on a 4-on-4 breakaway during a huge moment in the game. Getting over to his left to rob Draisaitl of his favorite low-angle one-timer. He made the saves his team needed him to make and allowed the Cats to score three straight goals and close out consecutive home wins. 

Bobrovsky leads all playoff goalies (minimum five games) with a 2.02 goals-against average and ranks third with a .916 save percentage. And now, he sits among some elite names in the record books.