The only times that Sergei Bobrovsky spent any time really reflecting on winning the Stanley Cup were the obvious moments. The celebration on the ice that night. The day of the parade. Things like that.
Otherwise, he did what he always does. He looked at what follows.
It is a simple approach and works better for Florida’s goalkeeper, who is about to play in the Stanley Cup final for the third consecutive season. At 36 and shows absolutely no deceleration signal, the Bobrovsky savings percentage in these playoffs is higher than he published a year ago on the way to the title, while his average goals against is lower.
And in this series of titles, it is likely that it coincides with Stuart Skinner’s ingenuity again: Edmonton’s netminder who was in the goal for the Stanley Cup final last year, when Florida led the Oilers in a seven -game classic. Game 1 is in Edmonton on Wednesday night.
“You enjoy the moment and taste the moment,” Bobrovsky said. “You are not trying to cut yourself thinking about what is ahead or what happened in the past. So, you are just trying to take the opportunity again. It is a great opportunity. Only two teams remain, and we are one of them and we have the opportunity to win everything. It is an exciting moment and I want to enjoy everything.”
Bobrovsky has been the only goalkeeper for Florida in these playoffs. For Edmonton, it was a different story.
Skinner had the start work in the postseason, then lost it to Calvin Pickard, then recovered it. The oilers needed 12 wins to reach the final, obviously: Skinner won six of those victories, Pickard won the other six.
But Skinner, before being replaced in the playoffs, simply did not have the numbers it has now.
He had a 3.39 GAA and a savings percentage of .872 in his first six appearances in playoffs; He had a savings percentage of 1.25 GAA and a .952 in the last four appearances, they all win over Dallas in the final of the West Conference. It seemed safer; Skinner said that was not really the case.
“I felt safe before,” Skinner said. “That is the life of being a goalkeeper.”
That said, Skinner acknowledged that there was a different sensation in those games against Dallas.
“It reduces and flows,” said Skinner. “You can feel it immediately. Sometimes you don’t feel it immediately. I mean, I would like to feel it all the time.”
Bobrovsky has almost made a race when trying to avoid flows and flows. Panthers have entrusted completely and what you need to do to be ready. The Panthers coach Paul Maurice, often says, and is not joking, not training Bobrovsky. Robb Sizes is Florida’s goalkeeper coach, works with Bobrovsky, and Maurice’s work is to greet and little else.
Bobrovsky rewards that trust.
“I’ve said so many times, I’m blessed with the team I have,” said Bobrovsky. “The boys, the management, the coaches. The coaches allow me to do my things, which is important, especially at my age. Have the room to do the things I need and believe, I appreciate everything, where I am, who surrounds me. It is a blessing and I appreciate it.”
