South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Changing back to previous lineup
Bobrovsky returns as starter in the net after getting brief time off
SUNRISE — After sitting the past two games, Florida Panthers’ starting goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made his return in net Saturday night versus the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The centerpiece of the Panthers’ offseason, Bobrovsky signed a seven-year, $70 million contract with the team in July but has seen his share of struggles to start the season. Following a tough performance in which he allowed four goals on 20 shots to the Washington Capitals, the Panthers opted to skip Bobrovsky’s scheduled start last Saturday and play backup Chris Drieger in his place.
After the 25-year-old goalie recorded a shutout in his first NHL start, Florida decided to ride the hot hand, starting Drieger again Tuesday night against the Minnesota Wild — a game the Panthers lost 4-2. Following the two-game hiatus, Panthers coach Joel Quenneville thought the time was right to bring Bobrovsky back.
“Sometimes you make decisions to change things up for the goalie or for the team,” Quenneville said. “I thought [Bobrovsky] had a great week of practice. I think his attitude’s been good and I think his focus has been in the right place.
“Sometimes you can take a step back and reset, and I thought his approach right off the bat [was] of being a good pro and supporting [Driedger] and then waiting for his turn. In the meantime it creates an appetite that he wanted to get back.”
A two-time Vezina Trophy winner — awarded to the league’s best goaltender — Bobrovsky’s posted the second-worst save percentage
(.884) and goals-against average
(3.48) among the 51 goalies who have played at least nine games entering Saturday’s contest.
During his nine-year career, the
31-year-old goalie has posted a .921 save percentage and 2.41 GAA with the Philadelphia Flyers, Blue Jackets and Panthers.
Florida Atlantic head coach Lane Kiffin is doused as his team celebrates defeating UAB in the Conference USA championship Saturday in Boca Raton. Kiffin is leaving the Owls to take over as head coach at Ole Miss.