Bobrovsky refreshed, ready for NHL playoffs
After Monday’s practice ended, Florida Panthers coaches gathered to share their thoughts. The day carried a “first day of school” feel, and coaches were eager to converse about what they saw.
Once gathered, one by one, they unanimously praised the performance of goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.
“[Goaltenders coach Rob] Tallas wasn’t in our meeting when we were talking about it and I go, ‘We’ll ask Tallas what he thought,’ because when you don’t notice goalies that’s a good thing,” coach Joel Quenneville said
Monday. “And
Bob did.”
That was a welcome sign for the Panthers brass, who had not all been together since mid-March and had not seen Bobrovsky on the ice since late February, when he went down with a lower-body injury. He was on the mend, nearing a return to play, when the coronavirus pandemic abruptly suspended play across the league.
But the ensuing four months without hockey have been a reprieve, Bobrovsky said Tuesday. he was raving on how well
Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has struggled in 50 games this season, allowing a career-worst 3.23 goals against average.
Much was expected of Bobrovsky entering the 2020 season, after inking a seven-year, $70 million deal that made him the secondhighest paid goaltender in the NHL by average annual salary, behind Montreal Canadiens net-minder Carey Price. But the level of play hasn’t met those expectations yet.
In 50 games this season, Bobrovsky has allowed a career-worst 3.23 goals against average. His .900 save percentage is his lowest since his second year in the league with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Panthers have won just 23 of his 48 starts.
Time off, in turn, was as much resetting mentally as it was physically.
“It’s been a good time for me,” Bobrovsky. “I was able to take some time for rest and was able to get some time for training, good training. I feel I am in good shape, physically and mentally, and I’m excited about this opportunity.”
Quenneville and Bobrovsky both mentioned the goaltender was working closely with Tallas to make minor mechanical tweaks, changes Bobrovsky said were “very small” and that “most of the people don’t really understand what we’re talking about.”
For him — after 10 years in the league, including twice winning the Vezina Trophy, awarded for the best goaltender in the NHL — it’s always been more about finding a mental stasis than overhauling his mechanics.
Finding a rhythm in his new home. Building chemistry with new teammates. Winning games.
“It’s just,
Iwould say, more the about mental setup, just to be patient and let the things come to you,” he said. “It’s the mental approach, just I would say, be relaxed and enjoy the experience.”
Added Quenneville: “He’s committed to doing whatever it takes, and during this reevaluation phase I’ll say, with Tallas, they probably discovered some things they might look at differently. But I think it was a real good process, in talking with Tallis through the process, and Bob as well. Bob has had a great attitude about where he is and where he’s at today.”
Tuesday, Bobrovsky, like the rest of the team, returned to competitive play, starting in net for Team White in the team’s Red vs. White scrimmage. He allowed just one goal in his team’s 3-1 victory.
It has been true since the day he signed his deal that Florida’s hopes of returning to the playoffs and making a run relied on elite play from the net — the axiom of riding a hot goaltender to postseason glory.
There’s pressure that comes with being the $70-million man with 34 career playoff games and the hopes of a franchise resting sizably in your glove. It stands to reason there was some bumps in finding comfort.
But a couple weeks out, Bobrovsky is optimistic that those inconsistencies are in his past, that he’s adjusted to his new home. And that he can lead a playoff run when the playoffs commence on Aug. 1.
“It’s a unique situation for everybody, but on the line, there’s a lot on the line,” Bobrovsky said. “There is a Stanley Cup and that’s what most of the hockey players, including me, have dreamed about. So it’s, at this point, my approach is go day-by-day and try to put together everything and be ready to do what’s happening the first game.”