Sergei Bobrovsky needs to step up for the Florida Panthers in Game 7

The Florida Panthers will have their fourth crack at securing their first-ever championship on Monday night when they take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.

The Panthers shot out to a 3-0 series lead before losing each of the following three games, giving the Oilers all the momentum heading into Monday’s winner-take-all game at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida.

Of course, the last time the series was tied, Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky pitched a 32-save shutout to give his team a 1-0 series lead all the way back on June 8. But after three excellent outings in a row to begin the series, Bobrovsky has allowed 12 goals on 58 shots over the last three games.

The Panthers gave Bobrovsky an uncharacteristic day off practice on Sunday, perhaps to reset himself ahead of what could be the defining game of his NHL career. Widely considered the favorite to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP midway through the series, Bobrovsky’s odds are now as long as they could possibly be.

On Monday’s edition of Daily Faceoff Live, Frank Seravalli spoke with Tyler Yaremchuk about how much the Panthers need Bobrovsky to be at the very top of his abilities against the Oilers in Game 7.

Frank Seravalli: So the other keys, let’s flip it from Florida’s perspective: Sergei Bobrovsky, gotta be on point. Thought it was fascinating that they gave him a day of rest yesterday. He had been at practice pretty much every time throughout this run for the Panthers. I think their internal thought process is, ‘Has Sergei Bobrovsky wilted at all as we’ve gone down the stretch?’ You can certainly look at the last three games that he’s played. Whichever goaltender has gotten to .900 or better has won each of the six games so far. Bobrovsky’s gotta be on point. Not a shocker.

Watch the full episode here: