(Edmonton) Sergei Bobrovsky’s locker in the Florida locker room is a sanctuary. A gold crucifix hangs from a chain. Next to it, we find a royal blue Orthodox prayer tassel.
And so far, the Panthers goaltender is playing a truly divine role in this Stanley Cup final. The Russian was clearly the star of this series, stopping 82 of 86 shots in three wins in as many games.
Thursday night, he made several spectacular saves in the Panthers’ 4-3 win at Rogers Place.
With the score tied 1-1 midway through the second period, he turned away Zach Hyman — the NHL’s leading playoff scorer — on a partial breakaway, then adjusted to turn away Connor McDavid’s attempt to accommodate the rebound behind him.
A few minutes later, the Panthers scored three quick goals that had the effect of silencing the Oilers fans. Late in the game, while looking to preserve a one-goal lead, Bobrovsky spread his pads to block a Ryan McLeod shot.
And he’s having fun.
“They’re a very talented offensive team,” Bobrovsky said of the Oilers. “They’re smart guys and they’re going to make plays. Just focus on each one, and it’s a fun challenge. »
His core strength and balance are worthy of a gymnast.
“You have that confidence in him, in the net,” Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said.
“If something goes wrong — and it’s going to happen, no matter how intense your defense is, no matter how good your structure is — these guys are going to take advantage of opportunities (to score). And that’s his role. »
Before the third period of the third game, only two Oilers players — Mattias Ekholm and Warren Foegele — had managed to thwart him since the start of the final.
Bobrovsky allowed goals to Philip Broberg and McLeod in the third period of Thursday’s duel, but held off the Oilers’ late surge.
The Oilers outshot the Panthers in two of the three games, but it didn’t matter. And none of the Oilers’ big stars — Hyman, McDavid and Leon Draisaitl — found the back of the net against Bobrovsky.
“In two of the three games, we met or exceeded the goals we set for ourselves in terms of the number of chances we created,” analyzed Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch.
“In games 1 and 3 we played well enough to score goals. We put ourselves in good enough positions to score goals. »
Knoblauch adds that his team is feeling frustrated, but has no intention of giving up.
The Oilers are on the verge of being swept in the Stanley Cup final for the first time since 1983, when the Islanders won their fourth straight championship against an Alberta team led by a young Wayne Gretzky.
The Panthers will have a chance to complete such a sweep Saturday night at the Oilers’ home.