Apr 21, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) defends his net as Tampa Bay Lightning center Michael Eyssimont (23) and Florida Panthers defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (91) battle for the puck during the third period in game one of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Sergei Bobrovsky has been the difference-maker for the Panthers early in the playoffs

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Sam Nestler | Last updated 4/24/24

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was the top story of the four-game Stanley Cup Playoffs game slate on Tuesday.

In Game 2 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Panthers blew a 2-0 lead before Carter Verhaeghe sealed the 3-2 win early in overtime.

But in the middle of that game, Bobrovsky stole the show.

With under six minutes to go in the second period and the game tied 2-2, the veteran netminder displayed his awareness, speed, athleticism, flexibility, and competitiveness to completely steal a go-ahead goal from Lightning defenseman Matt Dumba.

It was a save you have to see to believe. Actually, you may still not believe it. But have a look anyway.

VIDEO!

Inside the ⁦@FlaPanthers⁩ Radio Booth for the Save of the Year from Sergei Bobrovsky during the second period of the Game 2 win vs. Tampa Bay: pic.twitter.com/dz7eobn8CY
— Doug Plagens (@DougPlagens) April 24, 2024

Bobrovsky has been excellent in the first two games of this series. He has a .905 save percentage and a 1.95 goals-against average in the two wins and seems to have not missed a beat after dragging his team to the Stanley Cup Final in 2023.

Even more impressively, he has overshadowed Tampa’s Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is widely believed to be the best goaltender in the NHL.

Tyler Yaremchuk: In Game 2 between Florida and Tampa, it was all about Sergei Bobrovsky… He is picking up right where he left off last year during their playoff run. That save he made in the middle of that game is going to go down as one of the best saves in playoff history. It’s bananas.

Colby Cohen: At the end of the day, Bobrovsky is the superior Russian goaltender over Vasilevskiy in this series. … They’ve got to find a way to make ‘Bob’ uncomfortable, produce more on the power play. I thought after the first period, Tampa was a better team… But I don’t know what you do against ‘Bob’ right now because he is just on to another level.

You can watch the full segment and episode here: