The Time Is Now: Panthers Must Let Bobrovsky Run The Net

In the midst of a daunting playoff push, the Florida Panthers are leaning on their stars to lead them to the Promised Land.

And among those stars is their 10 million dollar man, Sergei Bobrovsky.

The Panthers didn’t start their season leaning on Bob but with Spencer Knight out with injury, they sure are now.

And in a time where every single point counts, it’s time for Paul Maurice to go with his best and stick with them.

The time is now to lean on Bobrovsky and make the Russian star the team’s bonafide number-one goaltender.

Panthers 1a, 1b Goaltender System is Not the Way

Up to this point of the season, the Florida Panthers haven’t named a true starter for their crease. The team has adopted the modern hockey approach of implementing a 1a, 1b starting tandem.

Before Spencer Knight was placed on injured reserve, he and Bob had split duties almost evenly. Knight had started 19 games and Bobrovsky had 24.

Now, this a fine system when you have two goaltenders who are capable of putting in “starter” caliber performances, which the Panthers do. You get to roll out whoever you feel is the better matchup and then there’s the added benefit of saving on the wear-and-tear of your goaltender during the 82-game grind.

But the thing is, goaltenders are finicky, streaky beings. It’s all about getting into a groove, a rhythm, and running with the crease while they’re hot. Goaltenders do not like interruptions to their flow.

And on top of all this, goaltenders are incredibly competitive players. Perhaps more so than any other players in the NHL. So no matter what they may say about sharing the crease and whether it’s best for the team, at the end of the day, they want it.

And Sergei Bobrovsky wants it. 

Bobrovsky Has Earned The Right To Start Most Nights

But it’s more than just wanting it. You need to earn it. And Bobrovsky’s recent play, and his entire body of work, point toward him being more than deserving.

Since coming out of the Christmas Break, Bob has a 5-2 record with a 2.89 GAA and .907 SV%

Yes, those numbers don’t necessarily scream Vezina, but this is why you must watch the games and not look at stats alone.

In the 4-3 win against the Vancouver Canucks, Bob let in three goals but made 35 saves, including 14 in the final frame.

Last night against the Buffalo Sabres, Bobrovsky made 24 consecutive saves before being beaten. That gave his team plenty of time to create a cushion for their lead. 

It’s all about making those key saves in key moments for your team.

And that’s what Bobrovsky is doing for his club.

But there are two bigger reasons why the Panthers need to let Bobrovsky ride as the number one guy. And we aren’t talking about a start-two, sit-one, split with Knight. The two-time Vezina winner should be going at least three to four starts between breaks, and this is why.

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Goaltenders Do Best With Flow

It’s no question that goaltenders do better when they can get into a rhythm. Last season, during stretches where Bobrovsky had three consecutive starts or more, he put up a record of 17-3-3.

This season, Bobrovsky only had one stretch of playing in three consecutive games by December 10. He went 1-1-1  in those three games and then 3-5 in the rest.

Talk about not being able to get into a rhythm.

But let’s take a look at these stats for Bobrovsky.

In games where Bob is making his third consecutive start or more, he has a 2.44 GAA and a .927 SV%

This is compared to a 3.63 GAA and .885 SV% in games where it’s just his first start or second consecutive start.

2.44 GAA vs 3.63 GAA.

.927 SV% vs .885 SV%

Those are some very telling numbers. And if that doesn’t show the importance of rhythm for a goaltender, I’m not sure what will.

While Knight is out with an injury the Panthers have no choice but to lean on the Russian netminder. But this should continue when Knight makes his return.

The numbers back up giving more consecutive starts to their starter between breaks. 

Panthers should implement, at the very least, a start-three, sit-one system, but should push it to a minimum of four consecutive starts.

Let Bobrovsky Be A WorkHorse

And Bobrovsky can handle that workload. Back in his days playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets, he practically willed his team into the playoffs from 2017-2019. In each of those seasons, Bob played in at least 62 regular season games.

Since coming to South Florida, the most he has played in a season is 54.

Bob’s ability to take on that kind of workload and have success in it speaks volumes. And it hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates. That part of his resume gives confidence to his team. It gives the players the belief that they can get it done with him in between the pipes.

And as Ekblad said after their recent game against the Canucks, “We follow Bob every night out of the tunnel. The way he prepares is second to none. He’s a great role model for this team and he plays big every night.”

And this is no knock on Knight. The former Boston College standout has been up to the task to take on an expanded workload this season. He has developed as a professional in his own right. And he certainly could lead the team if he was asked to.

But it’s Bob’s time. This is why he got the contract he did to come to Florida. What is the point in having a two-time Vezina-winning goalie if you aren’t going to use him? It’s like owning a Ferrari but never taking it out on the highway.

You can’t keep a goaltender like Bobrovsky in first gear. You have to let him run.

Bobrovsky Brings the Belief

There shouldn’t be any doubt the rest of the way for the Panthers this season as to who is going to command the crease.

As Bob goes, so goes the team.

Any idea who the players picked as their 1st Star of the game?!#BobIsHim #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/NdzpZLBfDv

— Alex Slemp (@AlexSlemp) January 15, 2023

There is something about having a true number-one goaltender that changes the psyche of the team. Players look at their starters and know, this is who they are going to battle with every single night.

And the Panthers are in a battle of their own right now. The road to the playoffs is a steep climb for them. And if they are to have any chance of conquering this mountain, it’ll be on the back of Sergei Bobrovsky.