2022-23 Season Rewind: Sergei Bobrovsky

Sergei Bobrovsky believes he learned more during this past season than any other.

After backing up for the first two games of the playoffs, the 34-year-old veteran essentially played like a superhero for two months to help push the Panthers into the Stanley Cup Final.

On the way, he compiled a 12-6 record with a .915 save percentage and one shutout.

"It's definitely a huge experience," said Bobrovsky, who'd never been part of that deep of a playoff run before. "I would say for those two months that I played in the playoffs, I learned more than in my 13-year career, especially the mental challenges you have to overcome and all that stuff. Now it's time to put that on the shelf, figure out everything you learned and digest it all."

But before it goes to the shelf, let's take a look back at the season that was.

After going 24-20-3 with a .901 save percentage during the regular season, Bobrovsky, a two-time winner of the Vezina Trophy, seemingly found another gear right away in the postseason. After helping the Panthers stave off elimination with a 44-save performance during a 4-3 overtime win against the 65-win Bruins in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round, he went on to win 10 of his next 11 starts after that while registering a .943 save percentage.

In five starts against the Maple Leafs in the Eastern Conference Second Round, he never allowed more than two goals in a single game. Helping the Panthers sweep the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final, he stopped 168 of 174 shots (.966%) that were fired his way.

Becoming the first goalie to ever earn a win for the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final, he also made 25 saves in a 3-2 overtime win against the Golden Knights in Game 3 at FLA Live Arena.

Reflecting on that epic run, Bobrovsky simply described it as "special."

"What we built in the locker room -- the atmosphere, the trust, the love to each other and for each other -- it's been amazing," he said. "What we went through and the teams that we beat, it's been great. It's outstanding. It's not easy. … We had a fantastic experience. That definitely helps."

While the playoffs are where things really came together for Bobrovsky, there were seeds of that future success planted throughout the regular season. For example, from Jan. 16 through Feb. 16, he went 8-2-1 behind a .925 save percentage to help the Panthers stay in the playoff race.

An absolute workhorse, he also made 13 straight starts from Feb. 14 through March 20.

"I really appreciate God for the opportunity that we had this year," Bobrovsky said. "In your mind, you're going forward, always growing up. When I was 20, you believe that you're one of the best. That always motivates you. Then sometimes [in] some seasons [due to] some circumstances, it doesn't matter what skill you have, it just feels like it's a wall on top of you.

"You can't do anything. The [playoff] runs like that makes it even more special. So many things come together. In the playoffs especially, it's so fragile. One bounce, one goal at the right time, it could win or could lose the game. With those things, when you have success you really appreciate and value them. It makes you appreciate your work. You feel for those things."

Despite having a shorter summer than usual, Bobrovsky isn't complaining.

When 2023-24 starts, he's hoping to pick up right where he left off.

"It's totally fine," Bobrovsky said. "The longer you play, the more you have to develop. You play for the result and for the part behind you to develop yourself. You craft your skills. You craft your mind. I think that's the only positive point to having a shorter summer. The training now, you pretty much don't even have to think about. You just have to make sure to have a good rest."

COOL STAT

Bobrovsky continues to climb the NHL's all-time wins list.

By picking up 24 wins in 2022-23, he climbed all the way up to 23rd on that star-studdeded leaderboard with 360 career victories. On his way to that spot, the Novokuznetsk, Russia native also surpassed Evgeni Nabokov (353) for the most wins ever by a Russian-born goaltender.

Joining an exclusive club, Bobrovsky became just the 25th goaltender in NHL history reach 350 career wins when he made 33 saves in a 4-1 win against the Sharks at FLA Live Arena on Feb. 9.

"It's definitely great," Bobrovsky said after the milestone win. "I've been fortunate to play with great teammates and great coaches. It's definitely a big achievement, but at the moment you focus on one moment at a time. … You stay with the moment and prepare for the next moment."

Since his debut season in 2010-11, Bobrovsky's 360 wins rank second in the NHL in that span.

BEST GAME

Bobrovsky's best game was technically more than just one.

Standing tall for nearly seven full periods, he set a franchise record with 63 saves -- including stopping all 34 shots he faced in the extra frames -- to lead the Panthers to a 3-2 win and a 1-0 series lead over the Hurricanes in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final at PNC Arena on May 18.

"It kind of becomes the game of attrition," Bobrovsky said of the marathon. "You're just trying to be patient and wait for the moment and for the shot. Just one shot at a time. You don't think too much ahead. You stay with the moment and try to do the best to keep the puck out of the net."

Going 14-for-14 against high-danger shots and stopping all 55 shots he faced at even strength, Bobrovsky finished with 5.34 goals saved above expected in the win. Per Evolving Hockey, that stands as the second-most GSAx in a single game since the data became available in 2007-08.

Of course, not all saves are created equal.

With the scored deadlocked at 2-2, Bobrovsky kept the Panthers in position to pounce when he sprawled out to deny Martin Necas on a breakaway with a pad save at 12:33 of the third period.

"We are not even near overtime if Bob doesn't make that save in the third period," teammate Matthew Tkachuk said. "Bob played great and the everybody followed. A total team effort."

SAVE OF THE YEAR

This save actually saved the season.

With the Panthers trailing the Bruins 3-1 in their opening-round playoff series and the score of Game 5 sitting at 3-3 with just a few seconds left on the clock in regulation, Bobrovsky came up in the clutch when he stoned Brad Marchand on a breakaway to send the action into overtime.

Tkachuk would then go on to score the game-winner for the Panthers in the extra frame. "We faced so much adversity over the course of the season," Bobrovsky said. "Tonight was a great game. A great team effort. We compete hard, we fight and we're happy with the win."