If the Panthers make it to victory in these playoffs, they’ll owe it in large part to Sergei Bobrovsky’s masterful performance.
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On Monday night, in a rarely busy FLA Live arena, the 34-year-old goalie stopped all 32 shots he faced. A perfect night that combined with Sam Reinhart’s goal on the power play allowed the Panthers to win 1-0 and secure a serious option in this Eastern Conference Finals where they face the Hurricanes of Carolina .
With a 3-0 win in that encounter, the Floridians are one win away from reaching the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1996.
Although there has never been more than a goal difference in this series, the chances of the Hurricanes turning things around are slim.
Repeating ourselves, only four teams in all of NHL history have managed to close a gap like this before winning the series.
In the head of the canes
If Sebastian Aho doesn’t speak Russian yet, he must hurry to learn it, as he risks meeting Bobrovsky in his nightmares.
With the shield, the blocker and even the mask, Aho saw the Panthers goalie frustrating him in every way possible.
The 34-year-old masked man also appears to have taken root in the minds of all of the Finn’s team-mates. To give you an idea, in a five-a-side game, the Hurricanes’ forwards missed the target in the last 349 minutes and 10 seconds.
Bobrovsky set a record by kicking aside 130 pucks in the first three games of the conference semifinals or finals. The old 125 brand belonged to Johnny Bower of the Maple Leafs. He established Mark in 1960 against the Canadian.
Bobrovsky not only gave nothing, but also got help from his teammates, who well blocked the center of the territory. Rarely have the Hurricanes been able to fire recurring shots.
In addition, Paul Maurice’s side spent far more time defending than attacking Frederik Andersen’s net, who found his position after being left out in the second game. The Panthers fired just two shots in the third period and seven in the final 40 minutes.
Barkov injured
The Panthers managed to hold off the Hurricanes for much of the evening without the services of Aleksander Barkov. The center of the first Florida trio is limited to six appearances.
After a seemingly harmless check from Jack Drury, he left the game just over seven minutes from time in the first third.
The Panthers announced that Barkov suffered a lower body injury. Possibly at knee height.
◆ The Panthers have the opportunity to be the first team to qualify for Wednesday night’s finals.
First period
No goal
Penalties: Ekblad (flo) 9:36, Noesen (car) 9:36, Lomberg (flo) 14:55, Staal (car) 17:51
second period
1-Flo: Sam Reinhart (7)(Tkachuk, Bennett) AN-10:05
Penalties: Skjei (car) 9:57, Aho (car) 11:22, Martinook (car) 13:02
third period
No goal
Penalties: None
Shoot the net
Carolina 7-14-11-32 Florida 10-5-2-17
Guardian:
Coach: Frederik Andersen (D, 5-2) Flo: Sergei Bobrovsky (D, 10-2)
Numerical advantages:
Auto: 0 to 1, Flo: 1 to 4
Referee:
Kelly Sutherland, Trevor Hanson
linesman:
Steve Barton, Kiel Murchison
HELP:
19,873